On the record
Neither party thoroughly realized the horror of the work before them, though every day made it more clearly apparent.
Source
gutenberg.orgEditor's note · Context
Blaine reflects on the lack of understanding of the true horrors of war by both sides at the onset of the conflict.
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In my judgment our sole authority for the acts which we have done during the last four years was the authority communicated to Congress by the Constitution to suppress insurrection.
The haste with which the question was brought to a decision can hardly be justified, and is a striking illustration of the intense party-feeling which had been engendered by the war.
With whatever strength or prestige the President left Washington, he certainly returned to the Capital personally discredited and politically ruined.
Another theory and another practice were now to prevail; for it had been demonstrated to the thoughtful statesmen who then controlled the Government, that every thing which may be done by either Nation or State may be better and more…
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