| RECONSTRUCTION AND THE ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN And so the time to rebuild had mercifully come, To reunite as a people on the path to freedom. As every season of war must at last find an end Leaving hearts pitched at odds to soften and mend. "And with malice toward none, with charity for all," To bind the land's wounds, Lincoln put out the call For a show of good faith and a generous tack To forgive southern states and to welcome them back. And Reconstruction became the name of the game, For the laws of the South, it was time to re-frame. And to give all the vote and to the union now swear Was the chore states were given and commanded to bear. Alas and however, a last throe from the war Was shot from a pistol and through the night tore! -- And President Lincoln lay slain in 1865 Yet his legacy does live and his spirit survive. For though men may kill, as did assassin Wilkes-Booth, No blood that they spill shall deny a life's truth. And Andrew Johnson stepped forth, the new president, Abe's loyal V.P. and a fine southern gent, To deal with the Congress -- those cranky poor sports -- Who would punish the South for her warring efforts. And whose plans, Johnson fumed, did too far overreach; So, Congress brought charges and tried to impeach! -- In the end enough held Johnson committed no crime, And by one vote he survived to serve out his time. But the Radicals took charge of Reconstruction's course, Sending marshalls to Dixie to now govern by force. Indeed, southern states had to surrender their wills, Having been, Congress balked, the cause of such ills. -- Which rubbed feeling raw, as men grappled for power To now deliver the South in her re-birthing hour... |
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| Worksheet # 74 |
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