By ordinance the legality of Negro marriages was dated from November 1867, or some date later than had been fixed by the white conventions of 1865.

Mixed schools were provided in some States; militia for the black districts but not for the white was to be raised; while in South Carolina it was made a penal offense to call a person a "Yankee" or a "nigger." Few of the Negro delegates demanded proscription of whites or social equality; they wanted schools and the vote.

The white radicals were more anxious to keep the former Confederates from holding office than from voting.

The generals in command everywhere used their influence to secure moderate action by the conventions, and for this they were showered with abuse.
As provided by the reconstruction acts, the new constitutions were submitted to the electorate created by those instruments.

Unless a majority of the registered voters in a State should take part in the election, the reconstruction would fail and the State would remain under military rule.