Tag Archives: Henry Ward Beecher

Bullets Met at Gettysburg

Posted on July 2, 2019 by SUMPTER

On the sixth anniversary of Day 1 of the Battle of Gettysburg a monument in the National Cemetery on the battlefield was dedicated. The Soldiers’ National Monument hadn’t been quite completed, but a reported 15,000 people showed up for the … Continue reading →

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the velocipede revolution

Posted on December 19, 2018 by SUMPTER

The times they are a-modernizin’. Back in April 1868 an American periodical urged better preservation of historically important places. 150 years ago this month the same paper enthusiastically described a new device – a traveling machine. It wasn’t just the … Continue reading →

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holiday for the homes

Posted on November 26, 2018 by SUMPTER

In October 1868 President Andrew Johnson proclaimed a national day of Thanksgiving on November 26th, the last Thursday of the month. This continued a tradition begun five years earlier by Abraham Lincoln. In its November 28, 1868 issue Harper’s Weekly … Continue reading →

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black Christmas

Posted on December 25, 2017 by SUMPTER

An editorial 150 years ago today seemed at least somewhat nostalgic for the antebellum South. From The New-York Times December 25, 1867: Christmas at the South The contrast between the Christmas of to-day and the Christmas which was known before … 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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“We must accept our own ideas”

Posted on September 26, 2015 by SUMPTER

No man is fit to be an American statesman who is afraid of American ideas. Liberty is the boon of every man, and it carries with it civil rights and citizenship…. We must accept our own ideas. I believe in … Continue reading →

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vengeance

Posted on April 14, 2015 by SUMPTER

It was supposed to be a very good Good Friday, at least for the Union. In a celebratory ceremony 150 years ago today Robert Anderson raised the old Union flag from April 1861 over Fort Sumter, which was once again … Continue reading →

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a word in edgewise

Posted on November 19, 2013 by SUMPTER

Edward Everett gave the longer speech at Gettysburg – by about two hours. President Lincoln’s remarks at the cemetery dedication made it on the front page of The New-York Times on November 20th next to three columns (and counting) of … Continue reading →

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Like Eating Fish on Friday?

Posted on February 1, 2013 by SUMPTER

150 years ago this week the Dispatch reported on an editorial in The Times of London that compared slavery with some practices of Roman Catholicism – the Bible might frown on some of the activities of each but does not … Continue reading →

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Constitutional Theorizing

Posted on January 12, 2013 by SUMPTER

If States’ Rights are obsolete, why can’t we make New England one state? From the Richmond Daily Dispatch January 14, 1863: New England’s rights Considered — her Undue preponderance Objected to. A New York paper, taking up a subject that … Continue reading →

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