Welles, Gideon (1802-1878) Speech or article re: defending Andrew Johnson, discussing Reconstruction

In an editorial article in the Courent of the 14th inst: commemoration of the death of Lincoln ten years ago it is stated:-
Similar
statements [struck: illegible] of the "ambitions" of President Johnson have sometimes been made by others but never with specifications. He had an ambition to discharge the duties which devolved upon him with fidelity, - an ambition to maintain the constitution in its purity, and an ambition to promote the prosperity and welfare of the country, but no unchallenged personal ambition such as the remarks of the Courent and [struck: the] [inserted: similar] assertions of others would indicate. No man living has been so misrepresented, and [inserted: on the part of] [struck: written] many, is still so misunderstood [struck: as Andr] in consequence of those misrepresentations, as Andrew Johnson. Nor is there within the limits of the [struck: illegible] [inserted: Republic] a true patriarch, and had few who have made greater sacrifices for the preservation of the union.
That the "plan of reconstruction" which Mr. Lincoln had commenced, and which "his successor adopted" might have been attended with "different results" "had Lincoln lived to carry out" his plan may be true, for he possessed wonderful tact and skill in the management of men and measures. Mr. Johnson who was not less patriotic [2] and had made far greater personal sacrifices than Mr. Lincoln in the cause of the union, how, [struck: may] [inserted: unfortunately perhaps,] put the adroit and shrewd address of his predecessor in controlling men and influencing public offices. He moreover labored under many disadvantages which Mr. Lincoln would not have encountered, for the latter had met and defeated the combination which, under the leadership of Thaddeus Stevens subsequently threw aside the Lincoln-Johnson policy of reconstruction and substituted the scheme which has since prevailed. It is well known that [illegible] Wade, Pomeroy of Kansas, Stevens, H. Winter Davis and others were hostile to Mr. Lincoln's views of [struck: reconstruction and] a restoration of the [struck: union] rebel states to the union as soon as possible after hostilities ceased. Such was the [struck: illegible] opposition [inserted: of these men] to Mr. Lincoln and his policy that they [struck: men] and their associates find by secret intrigue and subsequently by open activity made extraordinary efforts to defeat the [inserted: re] nomination of Mr. Lincoln and prevent his re-election. They intended neither him nor his plans to succeed, but that the south should be subjugated, their states be excluded from the union and a President elected who would be less magnanimous towards the rebels and [struck: with] have less regard for the rights of the states. Mr. Lincoln had the address to defeat these intriguers who [3] constituted the active, positive elements of the republican party in congress, and who were distinguished as Radicals but the assassination revived the hopes and gave new energy to these partisans. Their final expectations were that Mr. Johnson, who had been [inserted: been personally agreed] sufferance [inserted: from the rebellion] and an exile [inserted: from his home] would sympathetic and act with them in prosecuting the rebels [inserted: who had done him these injustices and be ready to] deny [struck: ing] them their constitutional rights and privileges. There was, on the part of the radical leaders not vindictive hate of the rebels, but an earnest desire to overthrow our federal republican system and give our government a more centralizing character. Mr. Johnson, a democratic republican in his principles, an admirer of our federal union and devoted to the constitution in letter and spirit, did not fall into revolutionary movements of Stevens and his associates, but adhered to and followed out the Lincoln policy of kindness and forbearance towards our enemy brethren and a restoration of the states [inserted: to their rightful position.] Where the radical leaders found that he was firm and unalterable in his purpose- that he could not be swerved from his principles and honed convictions, they commenced a course of denunciation, [inserted: misrepresentation] and abuse that has scarcely a parallel. By skillful [struck: intrigue and] management, Stevens and his radical associates, [struck: in congress] contrived through the machinery of secret caucus to get the control [4] of Congress and the introduction of a [struck: course] series of measures which were in direct conflict with the plan of Lincoln and Johnson were adopted. These reconstruction schemes were vetoed because unconstitutional, but under the discipline of party rigidity enforced by Stevens, Wade, Pomeroy, Chandler and others were adopted although a large portion of the republicans were in sentiment and conviction [struck: with] preference the plan of Lincoln and Johnson. This difference between the President and congress led to an embittered controversy, in which Mr. Johnson was assailed for adhering to his principles and the constitution on which the Lincoln plan was based, was violently assailed as a traitor to the party which elected him. In repelling these assaults he may not always have been prudent and desired for he is a direct man and no hypocrite. But it was a contest of one against many. He maintaining constitutional supremacy, the Radicals going "outside the constitution" as their leader Stevens openly avowed. But fidelity to this constitution was pronounced treason to party. The animosities [inserted: growing out of their rebellion] which Mr. Lincoln and his successor strove to allay was not permitted to slumber, the "gospel of hate" was preceded by [struck: the] active [illegible], the President who [struck: illegible] "solitary and alone" of all the senators from the south had resisted secession and thundered his indignation against disunion, was accused of sympathizing [5] with the rebels and of being false to his party. The public mind, under their radical congressional teachings and the fever of party which few have the independence to resist, became exasperated against the President [struck: and were] him following the lead of Stevens and his radical companions congress abandoned the beneficent plan of Mr. Lincoln for a speedy restoration of the Union, and supported the scheme of reconstruction which for ten years has agitated the country, impoverished the south and caused general demoralization.