Why Were The Radical Republicans Radical?

[JMadonna]

This should probably go under the title of "things I learned while looking up something else" but I was shocked to read:

" As the sessions of the Confederate Congress were closed to the public and secrecy strictly maintained as to the most of its proceedings, while no records were kept of its debates, the account of any of its activities must necessarily be based upon fragmentary sources."

If the Republicans were "Radical" at least they were open about it. What do you call a congress that meets in secret for 4 years?

Yeah, Yeah, I know... Health Care Democrats... don't bother