Bennett House where Johnston surrendered
The Democrat Reveille found some kind words to write about Abraham Lincoln after his death. It seems that Southerners and Northern Democrats appreciated President Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address and the lenient terms of surrender offered Southern armies. Here a presumably Democrat newspaper (and probably the Reveille) pinned the entire blame for the war on Abolitionism and was certain that Reconstruction would go much better because Andrew Johnson was president. Unlike Abraham Lincoln, Mr. Johnson would not become beholden to the abolitionists.
From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in May 1865:
The War Drawing to a Close.
NY Times 4-29-1865
Thank Heaven this monstrous war is drawing to a close. The surrender of the rebel army under Gen. Johnston, to Sherman, virtually ends the contest so far as military force can end it. The South desire peace and are willing to yield to the Government, when they become convinced that the Government will not be wielded to oppress them. Thus this long, bloody war terminates, by negotiation, by concession and compromise. The same end could have been attained without the shedding of human blood, but Abolitionism in control of the Government willed otherwise. Had Mr. Lincoln and his advisers pledged themselves, upon their accession to power four years ago, to administer the Government as did their predecessors, and in accordance with the decisions of the Supreme Court, Secession and Southern resistance would not have been heard of. What a horrible truth to realize! What an absolute and unavoidable fact, that every life sacrificed and every dollar wasted, was therefore to overthrow the government of Washington, of Jefferson, of Jackson and their successors!
least likely to become a tool of abolitionists (Andrew Johnson)
But the war draws to a close. The Southern States will return to the Union, not as conquered provinces, but as independent sovereignties, possessing all their rights and prerogatives under the Constitution. Abolitionism, thank heaven, has not accomplished its fell purpose, in the subjugation and degradation of the Southern States. Andrew Johnson and not Abraham Lincoln is President. We have little doubt or misgivings in regard to the course of President Johnson. He, above all other men in the country, is least likely to become a tool of the abolitionists in the work of reconstruction. Never before had any man such a splendid opportunity to write his name upon the brightest page of his country’s history as he. He stands between the living and the dead. He steps upon the stage of action when his country lies torn and bleeding at every pore. His task is to pacify that country – to bind up its wounds and heal its sores, regardless of all interests of party, of all personal feelings and of all past differences. He knows just what this country needs to secure its instant pacification. He must be President of the whole country, and not of the one third, and all will be well.
The reign of monstrous faction that has drenched the country with blood [draws to a close!] ANDREW JOHNSON is President!
