Category Archives: American Society

“Many said: Is it possible to save our nation?”

Posted on May 4, 2015 by SUMPTER

From The New-York Times May 5, 1865: THE BURIAL.; President Lincoln Again at His Western Home. The Mortal, Four Years Absent, Returns Immortal. Close of the Grandest Funeral Procession in History. Two Weeks’ Solemn March Among Millions of Mourners. The … Continue reading →

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blame “universal” suffrage

Posted on March 20, 2015 by SUMPTER

Monday morning 150 years ago a Richmond paper seemed to blame the war on universal suffrage (free white men did not need property to have the right to vote). Abolitionists were tame before universal suffrage. The newspaper feared a second … Continue reading →

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“From Maine to California”

Posted on November 24, 2014 by SUMPTER

150 years ago today was the day President Lincoln proclaimed as a day of Thanksgiving. The New-York Times saw it as a day that helped unite the states and parties and hoped it would remain a grand national holiday. From … Continue reading →

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nursing the wounded

Posted on October 15, 2013 by SUMPTER

Yesterday while I was doing a little exploring at the Library of Congress, I discovered the image to the left of Walt Whitman, said to be “taken from life” in 1863 (apparently by Alexander Gardner). I read a few of … Continue reading →

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(Gradual) death-blow to a social system

Posted on July 3, 2013 by SUMPTER

On July 1, 1863 the Missouri State Convention passed a plan for gradual emancipation beginning in 1870. The following editorial knows why the decision was made – you can’t pretend to be loyal to the Union while still supporting slavery. … Continue reading →

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arms control

Posted on April 19, 2013 by SUMPTER

Back on April 9th Seven Score and Ten published an interesting article by Frederick Douglass that encouraged black men to enlist in the Union army. Here’s part of it. From the Douglass’ Monthly April 1863: WHY SHOULD A COLORED MAN … Continue reading →

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President’s Say

Posted on February 22, 2013 by SUMPTER

From The Papers And Writings Of Abraham Lincoln, Volume Six: TO ALEXANDER REED. EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, February 22, 1863. REV. ALEXANDER REED. MY DEAR SIR:—Your note, by which you, as General Superintendent of the United States Christian Commission, invite me … Continue reading →

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Rule, Britannia! rule the waves

Posted on January 26, 2013 by SUMPTER

The following Southern editorial questions why Great Britain was remaining neutral during the American Civil War because, if the American states had not broken up, the United States would have eventually overtaken Britain as the world’s leading maritime power. The … Continue reading →

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Taxing the Frogs

Posted on January 22, 2013 by SUMPTER

From The New-York Times January 22, 1863: THE INTERNAL REVENUE REPORT. We have every reason to congratulate the country on the operation post and prospective of the Internal Revenue Bureau. In another column we publish Mr. Commissioner BOUTWELL’S first official … 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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