ent and redefining of society. It was “to this grand work of national regeneration and entire purification Congress must… address Itself, with full purpose”. During this period President Johnson continued his pardons and the 10% plan continued to readmit states to the union. Louisiana, Tennessee, and Virginia were a few of the 10% states readmitted. In opposition to Johnson’s readmission policies and his Reconstruction plan, Radicals began to refuse to allow Democrats to sit in Congress. Congress also passes the Tenure of Office Act inhibiting the power of the President. Congress had to overcome the obstacles previously faced in order to see its goals fulfilled. The previous session left some large holes in the policies established. President Johnson had previously inhibited the acts of Congress and the Congressmen were reluctant to make such bold moves against him. One of the ultimate goals of Radical Reconstruction was to achieve equality for all citizens, and to give a just definition of citizen as well. A first step toward this was the 14th Amendment. The 14th Amendment became law in June of 1866. This new law declared any person born in the Unites States a citizen, with rights undeniable by any state. It is this type of action Douglass desired in Congress and discusses in his article as only the beginning to the solution. “The Civil Rights Bill and the Freedman’s Bureau Bill and the proposed constitutional amendments…do not reach the difficulty, and cannot, unless the whole structure of the government is changed from a government by States to something like a despotic government”. In this time of crisis, the Radicals seemed to be the only unified group of men with a common ideal and purpose. “They knew exactly what the wanted to do, and were determined to do it”. The major concern of the Radicals was the condition of the freedmen. Most of them had no ho...
