 After the war , Garfield became a proponent of black suffrage , though he admitted that the idea of African Americans as political equals with whites gave him " a strong feeling of repugnance " . The new president , Johnson , sought the rapid restoration of the Southern states during the months between his accession and the meeting of Congress in December 1865 ; Garfield hesitantly supported this policy as an experiment . Johnson , an old friend , sought Garfield 's backing , and their conversations led Garfield to assume that differences between president and Congress were not large . When Congress assembled in December ( to Johnson 's chagrin without the elected representatives of the Southern states , who were excluded ) , Garfield urged conciliation on his colleagues , although he feared that Johnson , a former Democrat , might combine with other Democrats to gain political control if he rejoined the party . Garfield foresaw conflict even before February 1866 when Johnson vetoed a bill to extend the life of the Freedmen 's Bureau , charged with aiding the former slaves . By April , Garfield had concluded that Johnson was either " crazy or drunk with opium " . 
