by John Adler,
Publisher
The
struggle between the President and Congress over the substance and control of
Reconstruction policy was exemplified by Johnsons veto of the Freedmens Bureau
Bill in February.This tension
was heightened by the Presidents pointed speech on Washingtons Birthday in
which he denounced two leading Radicals, Senator Charles Sumner and Representative
Thaddeus Stevens. Both men became early and persistent advocates of Johnsons
impeachment.
The situation grew worse when Johnson vetoed the
Civil Rights Bill in April. Both the Freedmens Bureau Bill and the Civil Rights Bill
were passed over Johnsons veto.
In May and June 1866, the Reconstruction Committee
submitted its report to Congress. Johnson opposed the proposed measures, and Harpers
Weekly discussed the Executive-Congressional split, as well as its own view of the
Congressional plan.
Three members of President Johnsons Cabinet -
Attorney General James Speed, Interior Secretary James Harlan and Postmaster General
William Dennison - resigned in July because they disagreed with Johnsons policies.
Four members of Johnsons original cabinet (appointed by President Lincoln) remained
by August 1866. Three of them supported Johnsons policies - Secretary of State
William H. Seward, Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles and Secretary of the Treasury Hugh
McCulloch - and one key member, Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, opposed them.
Stantons opposition played a key role in Johnsons impeachment.
Articles Relating to Johnson's First Vetoes:
A Long Step
Forward
January 27, 1866, page 50
Congress
February 10, 1866, page 83
Education of the
Freedmen
February 10, 1866, page 83
The Veto Message
March 3, 1866, page 130
The Freedmens
Bureau
March 10, 1866, page 146
The Presidents Speech
March 10, 1866, page 147
The Political
Situation
April 14, 1866, page 226
The Civil Rights
Bill
April 14, 1866, page 226
The Civil Rights
Bill
April 21, 1866, page 243
The Congressional
Plan of Reorganization
May 12, 1866, page 290
The Trial of the
Government
May 26, 1866, page 322
Making Treason
Odious
June 2, 1866, page 338
The Final Report of
the Reconstruction Committee
June 23, 1866, page 387
The Report of the
Congressional Committee
June 23, 1866, page 386
The Case Stated
August 4, 1866, page 482
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