FEBRUARY 15, 1864:
The
Wade-Davis Bill is introduced into the House of Representatives by Radical
Republicans Benjamin Wade of Ohio and Henry Winter Davis of Maryland. This
Congressional plan for Reconstruction imposes far more harsh conditions upon
the rebellious States than President Lincoln’s “Ten Percent Plan” which is
already in effect in Tennessee, Louisiana, and Arkansas. The Wade-Davis Bill
requires that a majority of State residents take an “Ironclad Oath” to the
United States before readmission. It strips of their rights any and all
officials who worked under the Confederate governments of the southern States.
Most importantly, it strips the President of any power over Reconstruction. For
all these reasons, and because the language of the Bill treats the South as a
foreign and hostile power, President Lincoln objects to it. Although the Bill
passes both Houses of Congress, President Lincoln treats it to a pocket veto.
The Ironclad Oath
"I, ________________ do solemnly affirm that I have
never voluntarily borne arms against the United States since I have been a
citizen thereof; that I have voluntarily given no aid, countenance, counsel, or
encouragement to persons engaged in armed hostility thereto; that I have
neither sought nor accepted nor attempted to exercise the functions of any
office whatever, under any authority or pretended authority in hostility to the
United States; that I have not yielded a voluntary support to any pretended
government, authority, power or constitution within the United States, hostile
or inimical thereto. And I do further affirm that, to the best of my knowledge
and ability, I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States,
against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and
allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental
reservation or purpose of evasion, and that I will well and faithfully
discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter, so help me
God."
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