rights or the protection of law, as malcontents.

It is of record that Mr. Lincoln objected to this doctrine, and
to all propositions that contemplated the treatment of the late
rebellious States simply as conquered provinces and their people
as having forfeited all rights under a common government, and
under the laws of Nations entitled to no concessions, or even to
consideration, in any proposed measures of restoration. That he
had no sympathy with that theory is evidenced by the plan of
restoration he attempted to establish in Louisiana.

It was at this point that differences arose between Mr. Lincoln
and his party in Congress, which became more or less acute prior
to his death and continued between Congress and Mr. Johnson on
his attempt to carry out Mr. Lincoln's plans for restoration.

The cessation of hostilities in the field thus developed a
politico-economic problem which had never before confronted any
nation in such magnitude and gravity. The situation was at once
novel, unprecedented, and in more senses than one, alarming.
Without its due and timely solution there was danger of still
farther disturbance of a far different and more alarming
character than that of arms but lately ceased; and of a vastly
more insidious and dangerous complexion. The war had been fought
in the open. The record of the more than two thousand field and
naval engagements that had marked its progress and the march of
the Union armies to success, were heralded day by day to every
household, and all could forecast its trend and its results. But
the controversy now developed was insidious--its influences, its
weapons, its designs, and its possible end, were in a measure