LotsOfEssays.com

candidates to such conventions to those who would take an 'iron-clad' oath that they had never voluntarily supported secession.

Legally, the Radical Republicans argued that by seceding from the Union, the southern states had dissolved the Union and that, therefore, Congress alone had the power to determine the terms of their readmission. Lincoln argued that secession was illegal and therefore the southern states remained in the Union.

After Lincoln's pocket veto, Wade and Davis said Lincoln "must confine himself to his Executive duties, to obey and execute, not make the laws .

...