With difficulty a portion of the Whigs was brought with the Democrats into one conservative party during the summer and fall of 1867, though many still held aloof.

The lack of the old skilled leadership was severely felt.

In places where the white man's party was given a name, it was called "Democratic and Conservative," to spare the feelings of former Whigs who were loath to bear the party name of their quondam opponents.
The first step in the military reconstruction was the registration of voters.

In each State a central board of registrars was appointed by the district commander and a local board for every county and large town.
Each board consisted of three members--all radicals--who were required to subscribe to the "ironclad" oath.

In several states one Negro was appointed to each local board.