--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: On June 20, at Johnson’s behest, Attorney…" description: "\"“On June 20, at Johnson’s behest, Attorney General James Speed ordered the U.S. attorney in Norfolk to abandon Lee’s prosecution. On the same day, Gran..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/abc/ron-chernow-1189_attorney-general_on-june-20-at-johnson-s-behest-attorney_1473429.jpg" --- # On June 20, at Johnson’s behest, Attorney General James… ![“On June 20, at Johnson’s behest, Attorney General James Speed ordered the U.S. attorney in Norfolk to abandon Lee’s prosecution. On the same day, Grant informed Lee that no further actions would be taken to place him behind bars. Lee predicted that the government would procrastinate in granting…” quote by Ron Chernow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/abc/ron-chernow-1189_attorney-general_on-june-20-at-johnson-s-behest-attorney_1473429.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/abc/ron-chernow-1189_attorney-general_on-june-20-at-johnson-s-behest-attorney_1473429.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/abc/ron-chernow-1189_attorney-general_on-june-20-at-johnson-s-behest-attorney_1473429.jpg) > ““On June 20, at Johnson’s behest, Attorney General James Speed ordered the U.S. attorney in Norfolk to abandon Lee’s prosecution. On the same day, Grant informed Lee that no further actions would be taken to place him behind bars. Lee predicted that the government would procrastinate in granting his pardon, though he couldn’t have predicted that his civil liberties and right to vote would not be restored until Johnson’s broad amnesty in December 1868. His citizenship wasn’t fully restored in his lifetime and more than a hundred years passed before it was posthumously accomplished through a joint congressional resolution in 1975.”” [Ron Chernow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-chernow/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Political maneuvering delayed justice for a former Confederate leader, illustrating bureaucratic inertia. **In simple terms:** Government delays can prolong injustice. Key Takeaway Advocate for timely legal processes. Themes justice politics bureaucracy Mood critical historical Type analysis historical When to use this quote - civil rights activism - policy reform - historical research Key Concepts legal restoration historical reconciliation Questions to Reflect On - What mechanisms ensure swift justice? - How can citizens hold officials accountable? A Different Perspective Political agendas can override individual rights. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [1868 Citizenship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/1868-citizenship-5352294/) [Attorney general](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attorney-general/) [Civil liberties](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civil-liberties/) [Granting Pardon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/granting-pardon-5352291/) [Lee Actions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lee-actions-5352292/) [Lee Predicted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lee-predicted-5352293/) [Lee Prosecution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lee-prosecution-5352290/) ## Related quotes > [My wife and daughters work. My campaign manager in 2005 was a working mother. 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