Abraham Lincoln in his Times Chapter 22 Union, Tragedy, and Legacy Part 2

Abraham Lincoln in his Times Chapter 22 Union, Tragedy, and Legacy Part 2

Such themes probably came up in Lincoln’s conversation with Colfax on April 14, when Lincoln indicated his firm position on the South. Lincoln rejected the idea of a blanket pardon for ex-Confederates. According to a witness that day, “He believed there could be no restoration of peace or order with the leading rebels in the country, and proposed to have our generals ‘skeer’ them out by intimating to them that they would not be pursued, but would be punished for their crimes if they remained.” 28 Lincoln put special emphasis on rights for the oppressed. In the words of the witness, “He spoke with great impressiveness of his determination to secure liberty and justice to all, with full protection for the humblest, and to re-establish on a sure foundation the unity of the Republic after the sacrifices made for its preservation.” Before parting with Colfax, Lincoln asked the congressman to come back to the White House early in the evening. He invited Colfax to accompany him and Mary to Ford’…