Lincoln and Hamlin?

[Gene C]

From what little I've read, there was serious concern that Johnson was a bit to forgiving and allowing former confederate leaders back into positions of responsibility in their local and state governments right after they had fought against their country. Johnson was tying the hands of the military that were trying to insure freed blacks were not persecuted and protecting what few new rights they had, and who were trying to punish confederate leaders at the same time.

Just like there were atrocities committee during the Civil War by both sides, same can be said for reconstruction.
We need to remember Lincoln was very unpopular up to six months before the end of the Civil War. Reconstruction probably wouldn't have added to his popularity much.
Whoever was going to be President was going to have a rough time of it.

Plus this was before the days of Stuckey's, Krispy Kreme doughnuts, Dixie Cups, Chick Fillet, the Dukes of Hazard, Claxton Fruit Cake, Coca Cola, Disney World, and Spring Break. It was a different world.
These institutions of the south might not exist without reconstruction. So maybe it wasn't a total loss after all.