Why Were The Radical Republicans Radical?

[HerbS]

I just finished a "letter home" from a son to his mother.He asked her,"Is dad becoming one of those Radical Republicans?"This Soldier was from The Finger Lakes Region of New York State.The more I read,the more I am learning that the-Upstate,Central,and Western New Yorkers were not fond of Lincoln at all.I think we have all thought that the "Anti-Lincoln"feeling just came from New York City.