Freedman’s Bureau: From Slavery to Liberty

The Republican Party is the Party of Liberty and Progress. The principles of the Grand Ole Party are simple; All Men are created equal, Liberty shall not be denied, American Industry must be protected, Due process of Law is essential, and Government is by the People, for the People.

The conscience of the American People will never forget the efforts of the 19th Century Republican Party, which within the pages of American History reveal a defeated Republican effort, perpetrated by Andrew Johnson and his Democratic Administration. After the surrender of Lee and his Rebel Armies, the efforts of Reconstruction were initiated. The 39th Congress consisted of a Republican House Majority of 137 Representatives, 46 Republican Senators and; a Democratic House Minority of 44 Representatives, 11 Democratic Senators. The disproportionate body of Republican and Democratic members made an easy path for Republicans to move with expediency the Reconstruction Effort (though mistaken). 17th President Andrew Johnson, cloaked with Presidential Powers by Article 2 of the Constitution, obstructed the Republican effort vigorously. One of the first Congressional Enactments was the creation of the Freedman’s Bureau; responsible for helping Black Americans transition from Slavery to Liberty. The Confiscation Act of 1862, “provided for the seizure of all the real and personal property of major Rebel officeholders and all Rebels who did not return to their allegiance within sixty days of a Presidential warning proclamation.” Property Titles were subject to Federal Judicial proceedings and would be used in prosecuting the Rebellion, of which then the proceeds would be paid into the United States Treasury. Following this enactment, the Freedman’s Bureau bill of 1865 allowed for the possession of 800,000 acres of confiscated or abandoned Rebel land during the war, which was to be allotted into 40 Acre lots for the purpose of a three year rental lease for former Slaves, which then, after the three year duration expired, occupants could purchase these lands. Republicans, through the Freedman’s Bureau, wanted to provide an economic foundation and an opportunity for independence for Freedmen. Predictably, this enraged Southern Loyalists, Democrats, and President Johnson, whom at that time was establishing (unconstitutional) provisional governments in the South to curb the suffrage and prosperity of a newly liberated American People.

Democratic President, Andrew Johnson, vetoed the Freedman’s Bureau Bill, forcing the restoration of 414,652 acres of confiscated land to their former owners as well as confiscating 15,000 acres which had already been granted to Freedmen; a loss to the Republican Party and People. The conflict between Congress and President Johnson intensified to the point of open hostility from the Presidential Office against the Freedman’s Bureau Officers. It was evident that Johnson and the Democratic Party was weaponizing the Southern Governments and people against Republicans and Federal Institutions to the point that a coup d’etat was expected (though never initiated).

My fellow Citizens, why does the Democratic Party appeal to Americans today? Is it due to their ignorance, denial of Historical record, or both? Is the Democratic Party responsible for the Southern hostilities against Freedmen of the 19th-20th Century? If President Lincoln had not been murdered by a Democratic Loyalist, would had the Republican Party been successful in their mission of the Freedman’s Bureau? If Andrew Johnson never succeeded the Presidency, would have the Democratic Party dissolved? 164 years have passed since this Historical Chapter, and the judgement of “what could have been” is for you, the American Citizen, to decide.

Benedict , Michael Les . The Impeachment and Trial of Andrew Johnson. 1973. 1st ed., United States , George J, McLeod Limited , 1973, pp. 37–43.