CHAPTER XII.

MEETING OF FORTIETH CONGRESS, MARCH 4TH, 1867.--CONSPICUOUS CHANGES IN SENATE AND HOUSE.--CAMERON, CONKLING, MORTON, IN SENATE.--BUTLER, PETERS, BECK, IN HOUSE.--MR. JAMES BROOKS OBJECTS TO THE ORGANIZATION OF THE HOUSE.--SEVENTEEN STATES ASSENT.--THE CLERK DECLINES TO RECEIVE HIS MOTION.--THIRD ELECTION OF MR. COLFAX AS SPEAKER.--SUPPLEMENTARY RECONSTRUCTION ACT.--THE PRESIDENT'S PROMPT VETO.--PASSED OVER HIS OBJECTIONS.--CONGRESS ADJOURNS TO JULY 3D.--SECOND SUPPLEMENTARY ACT OF RECONSTRUCTION.--ANOTHER VETO.--OMINOUS WORDS FROM THE PRESIDENT.-- REPUBLICANS DISQUIETED.--CONGRESS ADJOURNS TO NOVEMBER.--THE SOUTH PLACED UNDER MILITARY GOVERNMENT.--PRACTICAL RECONSTRUCTION.-- CONVENTIONS IN THE SOUTHERN STATES.--CONSTITUTIONS SUBMITTED TO THE PEOPLE.--SECOND SESSION FORTIETH CONGRESS.--AGGRESSIVE MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT.--SOUTHERN STATES RE-ADMITTED TO REPRESENTATION.--ANOTHER VETO FROM THE PRESIDENT.--RECONSTRUCTION CONTEST PRACTICALLY ENDED.-- REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATORS FROM THE SOUTH.--MISTAKES OF FORMER SLAVE-HOLDERS.--UNFORTUNATE BLUNDERS.--PECULIAR MENTAL QUALITIES OF PRESIDENT JOHNSON.--THE VETO POWER.--ITS INFREQUENT USE BY EARLIER PRESIDENTS.--EXAMPLE OF JACKSON.--FOLLOWED BY HIS SUCCESSORS.-- DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DEMOCRATIC AND WHIG PRESIDENTS.--MR. TYLER AND MR. JOHNSON.--RATIFICATION OF THE FOURTEENTH AMENDMENT.--PROCLAIMED BY MR. SEWARD.--IMPORTANCE OF ITS PROVISIONS.--SINGULAR HOSTILITY OF THE DEMOCRATS.--A NEW CHARTER OF FREEDOM.--SWEEPS AWAY OPPRESSION AND EVERY DENIAL OF JUSTICE.--CREDIT OF IT CONCEDED TO THE REPUBLICANS.