We thought and we think that we had partially succeeded; but as the work
progresses, as reconstruction seemed to be taking place and the country
was becoming reunited, we found a disturbing and marring element
opposing us. In alluding to that element I shall go no further than your
convention and the distinguished gentleman who has delivered to me the
report of its proceedings. I shall make no reference to it that I do not
believe the time and the occasion justify.
We have witnessed in one department of the Government every endeavor
to prevent the restoration of peace, harmony, and union. We have seen
hanging upon the verge of the Government, as it were, a body called, or
which assumes to be, the Congress of the United States, while in fact it
is a Congress of only a part of the States. We have seen this Congress
pretend to be for the Union, when its every step and act tended to
perpetuate disunion and make a disruption of the States inevitable.
* * * We have seen Congress gradually encroach, step by step, upon
constitutional rights, and violate, day after day and month after month,
fundamental principles of the Government.
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