Tag Archives: Gerrit Smith

down with dramshops

Posted on April 8, 2020 by SUMPTER

Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been aware of the saying, “If March comes in like a lion, it goes out like a lamb” (and I thought vice versa, but that seems to return a lot fewer search results). … Continue reading →

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marching orders

Posted on November 7, 2018 by SUMPTER

On November 3, 1868 Republican candidate Ulysses S. Grant was elected President of the United States. He garnered about 300,000 more votes than his Democratic challenger Horatio Seymour. In the electoral college he won 214 votes compared to 80 for … Continue reading →

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late summer of ’68

Posted on September 29, 2018 by SUMPTER

Some headlines from early September 1868. Statewide elections in Vermont resulted in large Republican majorities. The Georgia legislature expelled twenty-five black representatives (New York Times September 4, 1868). After a conference at White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, Union General William … Continue reading →

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the three wise men denigrated

Posted on June 24, 2017 by SUMPTER

150 years ago earlier this month Wendell Phillips seemed a bit miffed that Jefferson Davis had been bailed out back in May. From The New-York Times June 7, 1867: Jefferson Davis and His Friends. From the Anti-Slavery Standard of This … Continue reading →

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big milk parlor shut down

Posted on May 25, 2017 by SUMPTER

But what should take its place? Riots broke out in Richmond, Virginia on May 11, 1867. Two days later ex-Confederate President Jefferson was released on bail in the same city. According to the following report, two of the men who … Continue reading →

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free at last

Posted on May 13, 2017 by SUMPTER

Having been imprisoned for nearly two years in Fortress Monroe, Jefferson Davis, the one and only Confederate president, was bailed out 150 years ago today. Here’s a summary from the June 1, 1867 issue of Harper’s Weekly (page 338): TRIAL … Continue reading →

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dress code

Posted on December 30, 2016 by SUMPTER

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper presumably sometime in 1866: [pointing finger] A FEMALE CANAL DRIVER. – On Thursday last a canal driver was arrested in Lockport, on suspicion of being a woman in male attire. On being taken … Continue reading →

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“power to enslave”

Posted on February 5, 2016 by SUMPTER

In early 1866 Congress debated a proposed Constitutional amendment that that would change the apportionment of representatives to Congress. According to the February 1, 1866 issue of The New-York Times the text read: ARTICLE – . Representatives and direct taxes … Continue reading →

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