Final answer:
The suspension of habeas corpus referenced was part of the federal government's crackdown on the Ku Klux Klan in October 1871, in an effort to restore law and order in the South. The government prioritized the dismantling of the Klan's influence over mass convictions, leading to a fair presidential election in 1872. However, this intense period of governmental action did not prevent 'redemption' by conservative Southerners.
Step-by-step explanation:
The search being referred to in the student's question likely pertains to governmental efforts to suppress the Ku Klux Klan during the Reconstruction era following the American Civil War. Based on the provided information, the specific 'search' or suspension of habeas corpus occurred in October 1871 when the president suspended habeas corpus in nine South Carolina counties to assist in arresting and prosecuting members of the Klan.
The vigorous attempts by the federal government to dismantle the Klan were part of a broader initiative to restore order and uphold civil rights in the South. These efforts included the use of the Enforcement Acts, through which the government could intervene in cases of civil rights violations by terrorist organizations like the Ku Klux Klan. Notably, historian James McPherson indicated that the government's main purpose was to eliminate the Klan's influence rather than to secure mass convictions for all their crimes.
Although many cases were dropped to clear the federal court dockets, this action along with other measures contributed to the success of having a fair election. The 1872 presidential election is mentioned as a milestone event, marking a significant reduction in Klan activity and being the fairest since 1868. However, the suspension of habeas corpus and the vigorous actions of the federal government failed to prevent the eventual process known as 'redemption', where conservative white Southerners regained political control of the South, often through means that opposed the Reconstruction efforts.