Pretense Of Glory: The Life of General Nathaniel P. Banks

16 The Destiny of Nations

1 6 The Destiny of Nations Stripped of his authority, Nathaniel P. Banks was delighted when his resignation from the army was finally approved on September 6, 1865. Michael Hahn and other friends urged him to stay in New Orleans, suggesting that he could practice law or be appointed district attorney. There would be much work for lawyers followingfour years of confiscation and conflict with little competition if former Confederates were barred from the Federal courts. Furthermore, the practice oflawwould enhance his political career and perhaps gain Banks election to the United States Congress as a senator from Louisiana.1 Banks considered the possibility and went as far as to win admission to the Federal bar in New Orleans. But ultimately he decided to return to New England. Banks had never done very well in the practice oflaw, and his political future in Louisiana seemed uncertain aslong as Governor Wells remained in power. It was also clear that politics in Louisiana were becoming increasingly polarized. The Radicals continued to gain strength in the National Republican Association, as evidenced by the rapid rise of Henry Clay Warmoth, a young Radical whom Banks heartily disliked. Banks's decision was influenced primarily, however, by the 1. Mrs.Butler to Butler, September 14, 1864, in Butler,Private and Official Correspondence , 5:133; George S.Denisonto Chase, September6,1864, in Chase,"Diaryand Correspondence," 445-46; Warner, Generals in Blue, 18;BostonDaily Advertiser,September 28,1865; Plumly to Banks, October 8,1864, Michael Hahn to Banks, June16, 1865, Banks to Mary Banks, July 22, 26, August 12, September 7,1865, Banks Collection , LC. 224 Pretenseof Glory realization that a combination of Johnsons Reconstruction policies and growing resistance by white conservatives would eventually undo all that he had sought to accomplish. "It can no longer be doubted that the President intends to give the Rebels the power ofthe country,"he wrote Mary in August. "It seems incredible and impossible that the blood that has been shed waspurposeless and without result."2 Unexpectedly, a new opportunity presented itself in Massachusetts when Daniel W.Gooch, a Radicalwho occupied Banks's old seat in Congress , resigned to assume a lucrative post with the navy for the port of Boston. Banks jumped at the chance and left New Orleans with such haste that there wasno time to plan farewell celebrations in honor of the man who had played such an important role in the Free State of Louisiana . The New Orleans moderates were sad to see him go, but former Rebels returning to the Crescent City laughed at his quick departure. "Banks . . . chases office in every latitude. He will pursue it by rail, on horse-back, bystill-hunting—or he will take it on the wing."3 Banks paid little heed to these parting shots,forhe faced aformidable task in his home state. TwoRadicals, J. Q. A.Griffin and James M. Stone, faced him in the contest for the Republican nomination. The Radicals enjoyed the support ofthe political faction that had ruled the state since Banks stepped down asgovernor in January1861. Fortunately forBanks, the two most important Radicals in Massachusetts, Senators Charles Sumner and Henry Wilson, considered it expedient to stay out of the fight. Another prominent politician and old friend, George S. Boutwell, 2. Boston Commonwealth, October 7,1865; Banks to Mary Banks, July 7,16, August 16, 19, 24, 31, September 7, 1865, Banks to Joseph Fremont Banks, July 26, 1865, M. T.Murphy to Banks, December 1,1865, Plumly to Banks, January 12,1866, Banks Collection, LC. Several years later,upon learning thatWarmoth had beendefeated in his race for anotherterm as governor, Banks wrote Mary, "He deservesvery little sympathy. Those who comein are as utterlyunscrupulous ashe has been &will come to that same end"(December11,1872, Banks Collection, LC).ForWarmoth's postwar careerinLouisiana , see Francis Byers Harris, "Henry Clay Warmoth, Reconstruction Governor of Louisiana," Louisiana Historical Quarterly 30 (April 1947): 523-653, and Henry Clay Warmoth, War, Politics and Reconstruction: Stormy Days in Louisiana (NewYork: Macmillan , 1930). 3. Boston Commonwealth,October7,1865;New Orleans Daily Crescent, November 3,1865; New fork Times, September16, 1865. Gooch servedon the Committee on the Conduct of the Warlooking intothe Red River campaign and wrote a minorityreport that treated Banks fairly. The Destiny of Nations 225 threw his weight to Banks.Butthe rest ofthe Radical faction washostile, for they never liked Banks s politics and realized that his bid for office threatened...