CHAPTER V.

GREAT OPPORTUNITY GIVEN TO THE SOUTH.--THEIR RESPONSE TO THE PRESIDENT'S TREATMENT.--NORTHERN DESIRE FOR RESTORATION OF THE UNION.-- SOUTH DOES NOT RESPOND TO IT.--SOUTHERN RECONSTRUCTION CONVENTIONS.-- INCOMPLETE AND ILL-DIGESTED PROCEEDINGS.--REBELS APPLY FOR SEATS IN CONGRESS.--IRON-CLAD OATH IN THEIR WAY.--THEY DENOUNCE IT AS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.--COURSE OF ALEXANDER H. STEPHENS.--SOUTHERN FEELING TOWARDS THE UNION.--THEIR CONVENTIONS EXHIBIT HATRED.--HOSTILE MANIFESTATIONS.--EXPRESSIONS OF PRESS AND STUMP ORATORS.--LEADING REBELS NOMINATED FOR OFFICE.--SOUTH DESCRIBED BY MR. FESSENDEN'S COMMITTEE.--SOUTH MISLED BY NORTHERN DEMOCRACY IN 1865.--FORMER CALAMITY FROM SAME CAUSE IN 1861.--WHAT CONGRESS WOULD DEMAND OF THE SOUTH.--THREE INDISPENSABLE REQUIREMENTS.--SOUTHERN LEGISLATURES DEFIANTLY RESIST.--CHARACTER OF THOSE LEGISLATURES.--PRACTICAL RE-ENACTMENT OF THE SLAVE-CODE.--CRUELTY OF ALABAMA STATUTES.-- FRAUDULENT IN THEIR NATURE.--COURSE OF THE CITY OF MOBILE.--STATUTES OF FLORIDA STILL WORSE.--UNFAIR TAXATION.--POLL-TAX OF THREE DOLLARS.-- A LIEN UPON THE NEGRO'S LABOR.--OPPRESSION OF THE NEGRO.--ENACTMENTS IN SOUTH CAROLINA.--CHARACTERIZED BY RANK INJUSTICE.--PENAL ENACTMENTS IN MISSISSIPPI.--ATROCIOUS PROVISIONS.--LAWS OF LOUISIANA WORST OF ALL.-- CAPITATION TAX IN THE SOUTH.--ITS UNJUST EFFECT.--SCHOOL LAWS.-- EDUCATION PRACTICALLY DENIED TO THE NEGRO.-HE IS TAXED FOR THE EDUCATION OF THE WHITES.--DISPROPORTION OF BURDENS PLACED UPON HIM.-- REVIEW OF THE BLACK CODE.--SOME DETAILS OF ITS PROVISIONS.--INCREDIBLY CRUEL.--THE SOUTH WITHOUT EXCUSE FOR ITS ENACTMENT.--THEIR DETERMINATION TO VINDICATE SLAVERY.--TO BRING REPROACH ON THE NORTH.-- INFLUENCE OF THESE PROCEEDINGS ON MR. SEWARD.--HIS MODE OF SELF- JUSTIFICATION.--SEVERELY CENSURED BY HIS OLD SUPPORTERS.--MISLED BY THE COURSE OF EVENTS.--HIS LOSS OF POPULARITY.