Alva Review-Courier -

When the Civil War ended in 1865, Republican members of Congress refused to allow former Confederate states to have seats in that body for several years.

Meanwhile, over the veto of President Andrew Johnson, congressmen passed a law taking away the right to vote for those who had fought for or openly supported the Confederacy during the war.

Next, they sent military troops to the South to register voters – including adult male ex-slaves. By 1867, therefore, several southern states had more African American than Caucasian voters.

Consequently, since most former slaves became Republicans, all of...