Slow to formulate a definite plan, the Joint Committee guided public sentiment toward radicalism, converted gradually the Republican Congressmen, and little by little undermined the power and influence of the President.
Not until after the new year was it plain that there was to be a fight to the finish between Congress and the President.

Congress had refused in December 1865, to accept the President's program, but there was still hope for a compromise.

Many conservatives had voted for the delay merely to assert the rights of Congress; but the radicals wanted time to frame a program.

The Northern Democrats were embarrassingly cordial in their support of Johnson and so also were most Southerners.

The moderates were not far away from the position of the President and the administration Republicans.