The war had closed without the execution of a single man who had borne arms against the Government, without imprisonment, without confiscation of property, without even depriving one rebel of his franchise as an elector.
Blaine reflects on the leniency shown by the American government towards those who fought against it during the Civil War.
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I have long since wished that capital punishment were abolished.
I am in no boastful mood: I shall not do more than I can, but I shall do all I can to save the Government, which is my sworn duty as well as my personal inclination.
If you are not ready to be the Moses of an oppressed people, do not become their Pharaoh.
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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