Essay On Grosvenor Reconstruction

The reconstruction era was the period after the civil war when the United States was trying to repair the government. William Mason Grosvenor, an abolitionist and commander to a unit of African-American soldiers, wanted a radical and harsh reconstruction (Dudley 7). Herman Melville, a writer from the North, wanted a lenient reconstruction (Dudley 8). Therefore, he did not want the reconstruction to be spiteful (Dudley 9). The reconstruction should have been a peaceful way to restore the broken country and reunite the North and South. William Grosvenor did not want a peaceful reconstruction because his main focus was on revenge. Mr. Grosvenor states, “Punishment...shall be severe enough to prevent for all future time the recurrence of a crime so terribly destructive,” (Dudley 8). Mr. Grosvenor was primarily focused on punishment rather than rebuilding. However, Herman Melville argues that the South should be forgiven (Dudley 9). He states, “No consideration should tempt us to pervert the national victory into oppression for the vanquished.” (Dudley 10). Mr. Melville is saying that the North should not hold their victory over the South in oppression but instead come
A harsh reconstruction would further divide the country and in return deter the growth of the nation. William Grosvenor's way of reconstruction was harmful and spiteful while Herman Melville wanted a forgiving and merciful reconstruction. Mr. Melville even stated,” Yet the work of reconstruction, if admitted to be feasible at all, demands little but common sense and Christian charity,” (Dudley 9). By this, he rightfully said that for reconstruction to be useful all that is needed is to be charitable towards one another and to use common sense for what is right. Herman Melville knew that the most successful way to have reconstruction was leniency and forgiveness; leading to a repaired and reunited