During the Forty-first Congress (1869-71) more than three thousand Southerners were amnestied in order that they might hold office.

These, however, were for the most part scalawags; the most respectable whites would not seek an amnesty which they could secure only by self-stultification.* It was the pressure of public opinion against white disfranchisement and the necessity for meeting the Liberal Republican arguments which caused the passage of the Act of 1872.

By this act about 150,000 whites were reenfranchised, leaving out only about five hundred of the most prominent of the old regime, most of whom were never restored to citizenship.

Both Robert E.
Lee and Jefferson Davis died disfranchised.
* The machinery of government and politics was all in radical hands--the carpetbaggers and scalawags, who were numerous enough to fill practically all the offices.

These men were often able leaders and skillful managers, and they did not intend to surrender control; and the black race was obedient and furnished the votes.