President Johnson, who regards the actions of…

President Johnson, who regards the actions of the Radical Republicans as a usurpation of his power, believes that continued punitive measures in the South, along with a guarantee of suffrage to blacks, is not supported by majority opinion nationwide.

He is reluctant to insist on suffrage for blacks in the South when it has not been granted in the North.

He believes that placing power over whites in the hands of former slaves will create an intolerable situation.