He also sought to boost his chances in Tennessee while reestablishing civil government by making the loyalty oath even more restrictive, in that voters would now have to swear that they opposed making a settlement with the Confederacy. The Democratic candidate for president, George McClellan, hoped to avoid additional bloodshed by negotiation, and so the stricter loyalty oath effectively disenfranchised his supporters.
He also sought to enhance his chances in Tennessee by reestablishing civil government through a more stringent loyalty oath, requiring voters to pledge opposition to any settlement with the Confederacy. The Democratic presidential candidate, George McClellan, aimed to prevent further bloodshed through negotiation and thus, the stricter oath effectively disenfranchised his supporters.