--The Pony Tribune, January 9th 1885
-Today we bring you part two of a special selection of articles in which we look back at the past few decades and the events which transpired within them. The following is a collection of articles combined for this special issue.
--(Originally posted November 1880)--
-Here in the United States, the economy has been thriving after the recovery in the past couple of years. Both moderate and liberal Republicans ruled Congress, even more so since the 1878 midterms. The Greenback party was expected to be the main competitor in 1800. Arriving to power in the midterms, the populist Greenbacks had been popular with the middle-class and farmer voters, but might alienate some voters with their left-wing social and fiscal policies.
When it came down to choosing candidates, a wide field was open in the US. For the Republicans, by 1879, incumbent Rutherford Hayes had not yet decided to run again, so the convention was open to other popular candidates including retired General Ulysses S. Grant, Senator James G. Blaine from Maine, former President Abraham Lincoln, Senator and Majority Leader James Garfield, and Secy. Of Treasury John Sherman.
Walking onto a stage in late 1878, Abraham Lincoln shocked and awed audiences by deciding to return to politics. “My fellow Americans, in the last few years, I have encountered a reawakening of politics. I have visited cites in the Utah Territory, in which communities exist in harmony in an equality-capitalism-free system. There are neither extreme poor, nor extreme wealthy. They realize that labor is the real source of wealth. Everyone works to benefit the community. No one takes more than they need. It is an ideal society, and more importantly, one that I wish for all of the American people to take part in. If the Republicans and Democrats cannot comprehend such a change of spirit, then I will help to construct a new party. One that holds true to the American spirit and not self-gain.” Not long after the former president’s speech, the poorly-funded Socialist Party was founded in America. Lincoln, as manager of the party, decided not to run for president, but to discover others to run for various offices, including unknown Marxist activist Frederick Thompson for president. Lincoln later stated that he felt too old to effectively run the country, believing he only needed to send the message down the pipeline, not carry it to the White House.
In a civil service speech to municipal workers, President Hayes announced that he would indeed seek the nomination, claiming his job was not yet finished, and that without him, the Republican Party would fail to find a successor at the moment. He noted that if 1876 was a closer race, he would be more inclined to not run again. This angered some voters who desired change to consider voting Greenback.
However, not all Republicans wanted to keep Hayes. Some heads turned to Grant, Garfield, Blaine, and Sherman. Grant had failed to win the 1868 election and was still known as the “drunken general.” Prohibition-ers who were strictly Republican voters threatened to vote Greenback if Grant received the nomination. Stalwarts, the very few conservative Republicans in office, fought hard to get Grant the nomination, but were heavily outweighed by the Half-Breed moderate Republican faction as well as the liberal branch.
In 1880, the Republican National Convention finally took place, and immediately it became clear that John Sherman would fail to receive nomination. He had too little support. The main debates were between incumbent Hayes, Garfield, Grant, and Blaine. When it came down to delegate voting, the many knew what the outcome would be. Garfield was considered too centrist to be an effective leader, Grant was way too set on his patronage policies, Sherman was relatively unknown, and Blaine was a weak leader. Hayes, Blaine, and Garfield tied for first place with about 200 votes each, with Grant receiving about 60 and Sherman 20. A second tally was called, in which Hayes won with almost 300 votes, with Blaine and Garfield tying for second. President Hayes requested that the two choose to seek Vice Presidency, as William Wheeler had already stepped down.
The Vice Presidential voting went more smoothly, with Garfield ending up winning the nomination, as supported by Hayes. Hayes knew Blaine was a better choice with many domestic issues, but with the rising threat of the CSA, the foreign policy skills of James Garfield would come in handy in gathering allies. Garfield’s Congressional spot was replaced by James G. Blaine. Blaine became the new Speaker of the House in 1880.
The Greenback Party slowly emerged as the major second party as it posed a more serious threat to the Republicans than the weakened Democrats did. The Democrats would still enter in the race, of course, but very little paid attention to that side of the spectrum. The major Greenback Party candidates included Iowa Rep. James B. Weaver, politician and lawyer Benjamin J. Chambers, industrialist and former candidate Peter Cooper, Pennsylvanian Rep. Hendrick Bradley Wright, and politician Stephen D. Dillaye.
Peter Cooper dropped out first, with health deteriorating he decided to leave politics to the next generation. Hendrick Wright was called out by Weaver for entering Congress as a Democrat slave laborer. Wright attempted to fight back the accusations, but indeed he was a Democrat, and his chances lowered quite a bit from that. On June 9th, 1880, the Greenback National Convention began, with everyone seemingly in favor or Weaver and Chambers. The populist stance Weaver had quickly made him well known both in and outside of the party lines. He received nearly half of the 714 delegate votes available. The ones lost went to Wright and Dillaye. Chambers switched to the Vice Presidential ticket, and successfully received the nomination. The official Greenback Party nominee in 1880 was Weaver/Chambers.
As for the Democrats, the entire party was growing more and more nervous regarding the possible dissolution. With growing resentment in both the United States and the Confederate States, the Democrats needed to work out a new plan if a real turnaround was to occur. Still around somewhat in politics, former presidents McClellan and Seymour told potential Democratic candidates how not to run the presidency, but how to run a successful campaign. After McClellan and Seymour refused future terms, the potential candidates included New York governor Samuel Tilden, US Army officer Winfield Hancock, and politician Thomas Bayard. The lack of liberal candidates was, in the words of McClellan, “Quite dismal if you’re expectin’ to win. The new center of the United States is the far left, as you all know. When I left the presidency, I thought the centre-right United States had reached a more centrist landscape. But when centrist Seymour’s approval ratings began to plummet, I realized how far left this country has become. But I wouldn’t worry about our candidates. When they are counted as a minor party in 1884, they’ll realize how badly politics need to change. As for my own future, I’ll consider running for Congress in a rural district. and I discovered this in our presidencies, as will these unsuccessful candidates.” McClellan could not see a Democrat running a successful candidacy in 1880, nor did Seymour.
The nominee chosen was Samuel Tilden, with Winfield Hancock as the VP choice in an effort to win the war-hawk vote. “As president,” Tilden said, “I will vow to defeat the Confederates economically, politically, and if need be, militarily. I promise we will buy back the lost Indian Territory, add states to the union, and gain allies in Western European nations. We will not sit by as Hayes once again fails this great country!” It seemed to some that Tilden and Hancock would not be as easily defeated as once thought.
Other party candidate choosing went as follows. The minor Know Nothing Party, famous for anti-immigration and naturalization policies, nominated Union army veteran John W. Phelps. The newly found Socialist Party nominated political activist Frederick Thomas who proceeded to preach against every major party, believing the worker’s rights needed to be held more dear that the rights of the corporation. The anti-alcohol Prohibition Party ran Portland, Maine mayor Neal Dow.
Every speculator believed that Hayes will once again influence the country in yet another Republican sweep. The more experienced speculators and journalists knew that nothing mattered until the day of the election. Some states were dissatisfied with Republicans in general, believing many were exercising corrupt politics as Lincoln’s vice president had.
November 1880 had arrived faster than expected. Multiple debates were conducted between Hayes, Weaver, and Tilden. All of which Hayes seemed to dominate, but Weaver acted more as a serious rival than Tilden. Phelps, Thomas, and Dow were invited to some of these debates, but it was obvious to everyone that none of the minor parties would win the election.
Election Day: The first states called were New Jersey (63%) and Connecticut (58%), both of which remained Republican. New Hampshire (53%) and New York (57%) also remained Republican. The same applied to Vermont (56%) and Massachusetts (61%). Maine, however, was split. 6 of the 7 delegates went with Republican, but one, controversially, chose Prohibition. Rhode Island went Democrat once again (53%). All seemed pretty safe to say Hayes already won, but then came the conservative state of Pennsylvania.
Not only did it not go Republican, but in a slim margin, went Greenback (51%). Delaware went Republican (55%) and Rhode Island returned to Democrat (54%).The swing state of West Virginia stayed Republican, but by a slim margin only (52%). With the east finished, Hayes was in first with 87 out of the 293, Tilden had 12, Weaver had 29, and Dow had one.
Ohio delegates went Greenback (56%), as did Illinois (46%). Indiana (54%) and Michigan (60%) remained Republican. Regular Democrats states (Missouri 56%, Tennessee 64%, and Arkansas 62%) stayed that way. Kentucky (55%), Wisconsin (53%), and Minnesota (63%) stayed Republican. Nebraska (55%), Kansas (45%) and Colorado (50%) stayed Republican. As expected, birthplace of the Greenback Party, Iowa (62%) went with them. The western states, Oregon (47%), California (56%), and Nevada (55%) stayed Republican.
With the election over, incumbent Rutherford B. Hayes was elected into a second term! He received 164 (56%), Greenback candidate Weaver, 83 (28%), Democrat Tilden, 45 (15%), Prohibitionist Dow, 1 (0.03%). The popular vote went similarly for the major candidates, Hayes and Weaver. Hayes received 47%, Weaver 33%, Tilden 8%, Thomas 8%, Phelps 3%, Dow 1%. The Democrats had officially become a minor party in the United States, fairing as well as the brand new Socialist Party. In fact, the Socialist Party’s incredible gains were attributed to Lincoln’s endorsement of it. The new generation had forgotten the Civil War and toils of past. But when it came down to it, Hayes won and was inaugurated soon after.
Meanwhile, Congressional Elections took place across the country with multiple offices up for grabs. Below is a list of the senators throughout the country.
· Arkansas:
Augustus Garland (D) and James Walker (D).
· California
James T. Farley (D) and newly elected John F. Miller (R).
· Colorado
Henry M Teller (R) and Nathaniel P. Hill (R).
· Connecticut
Orville H. Platt (R) and a Republican pickup, newly elected Joseph R. Hawley (R).
· Delaware
Thomas Bayard, Sr was re-elected (D) and Eli M. Saulsbury (D)
· Illinois
David Davis (I) and John A. Logan (R)
· Indiana
Daniel W. Voorhees (D) and Republican pickup, newly elected Benjamin Harrison (R)
· Iowa
William B. Allison (R) and Samuel J. Kirkwood (R)
· Kansas
John J. Ingalls (R) and Preston B. Plumb (R)
· Kentucky
James B. Beck (D) and John S. Williams (D)
· Maine
James G. Blaine (R) and newly elected, Greenback Party pickup, George W. Ladd (G)
· Maryland
James B. Groome (D) and newly elected Arthur Pue Gorman (D)
· Massachusetts
Re-elected Henry L. Dawes (R) and George F. Hoar (R)
· Michigan
Thomas W. Ferry (R) and newly elected Omar G. Conger (R)
· Minnesota
Re-elected Samuel J. R. McMillan (R) and William Windom (R)
· Nebraska
Alvin Saunders (R) and newly elected Charles H. Van Hyke (R)
· Nevada
John P. Jones (R) and newly elected, Greenback Party pickup, William Hess (G)
· New Hampshire
Edward H. Rollins (R) and Henry W. Blair (R)
· New Jersey
John R. McPherson (D) and newly elected William J. Sewell (R)
· New York
Roscoe Conkling (R) and newly elected Thomas C. Platt (R)
· Ohio
George H. Pendleton (D) and newly elected, Greenback Party pickup, John Sherman (G)
· Oregon
La Fayette Grover (D) and James H. Slater (D)
· Pennsylvania
J. Donald Cameron (R) and newly elected, Greenback pickup James Mosgrove (G)
· Rhode Island
Henry B. Anthony (R) and re-elected Ambrose E. Burnside (R)
· Tennessee
Isham G. Harris (D) and newly elected Howell E. Jackson (D)
· Vermont
Re-elected George F. Edmunds (R) and Justin S. Morrill (R)
· West Virginia
Henry G. Davis (D) and newly elected, Republican pickup James K. Ralph (R)
· Wisconsin
Newly elected Philetus Sawyer (R) and Angus Cameron (R).
|
| 1880 Senatorial Election |
|
| Majority | Minority | Other |
Party | Republican | Democratic | Greenback&Indp. |
Last Election | 32 | 24 | 1 |
Seats Won | 34 | 17 | 5 |
Seat Change | +2 | -7 | +3 |
In the 56 Senate Seats, some changes occurred, with George W. Ladd in Maine, William Hess in Nevada, Michael M. Sherman in Ohio, and James Mosgrove in Pennsylvania becoming the first four Greenbacks in the Senate. Republican pickups also occurred. Out of the 56, 35 seats were Republican, 16 were Democrat, 4 were Greenback, and 1 Independent.
Notable Victories/Defeats: Presidential candidate John Sherman of Ohio was defeated by relative Michael Sherman. Famous Civil War veteran Ambrose E. Burnside was re-elected in a landslide victory in Rhode Island despite Democratic tendencies.
In the House, prior to the election, out of the 207 seats, 14 were Democrats, 6 were Greenbacks, and 4 were independents. The other 183 belonged to Republicans. However, in 1880, some changes occurred. 18 seats were up for grabs, and 5 were won by Republicans, 6 by Greenbacks, 2 by Democrats, 4 by Socialists, and 1 by Prohibition (Maine, of course). The standings now had Republicans with 180, Greenbacks with 11, Democrats with 4, Socialists with 7, Independents with 4, and Prohibitionists by 1. 1880 was a win for liberals and radicals, as proven by this race. The Republicans, who lost, lost to either Greenbacks or Socialists, the leftist options. A notable victory is former President Horatio Seymour running for district office and coming out victorious.
In the months following the election, Hayes began to show his age while Garfield seemed very fresh and new. Hayes again gave his speech about readiness for war, economic prosperity, and the future of liberalism.
Democrats proceeded to completely reorganize strategies for 1882, realizing that attack tactics may have to be used. The Greenback Party continued to gain in popularity, with the four Senators increasing in influence, proposing multiple labor bills (none passing). To attempt to gain momentum from the Socialist, the party was officially renamed the Greenback Labor Party. The Socialist Party also reorganized strategies, realizing how fast they approached the spotlight, putting Lincoln further in the front, but searching nonstop for new candidates. The Prohibition Party gained a slight head in upcoming years, though not gaining much momentum at the moment. The American Party remained a minor party, but fell into obscurity soon enough.
--(Originally posted February 1882)--
-In the Confederacy, Longstreet had nearly doomed the Whig Party. For being “conservative and conservative gets”, the president had enacted many liberal laws regarding the economy and slavery. Some politicians stated that if another Whig were to enter the president’s office, slavery could be completely abolished. The economy had begun to recover at a faster pace, but that did not please those in South Carolina, Virginia, and Texas as it had in the more moderate states like Florida and North Carolina.
The governor of Texas proclaimed that if another Whig entered high office, they would secede from the Confederacy. South Carolina followed with a similar threat. Populist parties grew in influence and by 1880; a States Rights Party formed a National Convention, electing J.E.B. Stuart as the official nominee with an aging Gideon Pillow as VP nominee.
The CS Democrats made a triumphant return when the famous John Breckinridge announced a second run at the presidency. Being a moderate, he made it clear how much his personal politics would stay out of managing the country. He explained how he felt slavery was extremely necessary for the Confederate States, something not heard by a president since the days of Jefferson Davis. He eventually received the CS Democrat nomination, with William H. English winning VP seat.
Lastly, the hurt Whigs made another run at the presidency. Moderate candidate and veteran Virginian Senator John W. Johnston won the nomination unopposed.
.
In the 1881 election turnout, the CS Democrats won Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, and Missouri for a total of 56 electoral votes. The Whigs received 17 votes (Louisiana, Florida, Cuba) and the States Rights received 15 (South Carolina and Texas). Nearly all Confederates preferred Breckinridge, as he gained almost 58% of the popular vote. In his inauguration, Breckinridge told the CS citizens that “not only will our country be known as the better American, but I dare say the best country in the world! We will achieve this rank through what ever means necessary. Let me be very clear with this, I am NOT hesitant to use our powerful military, but will also emphasize our economic needs."
In worldwide news, the United Kingdom held their parliamentary elections, with a very expected turnout. The Liberal Party gained 110 seats, putting them well in the majority. The new Prime Minister, William Ewart Gladstone, the leader of the Liberals, won through attacking the unpopular Disraeli and his foreign policy issues. This was his second term as Prime Minister. Gladstone would warm up much closer to the United States in following years, easing tensions and increasing trust. He would also quickly end the lost Boer War in South Africa.
French elections in 1881 had similar results, with the left winning many seats in the legislature. The Socialist and Radical-Socialist parties were gaining speed even faster than in the US as centre-left parties continued well into the majority. The centre-right parties lost substantial amounts of vote.
--("The New Center?" Collection of articles printed throughout 1881.)--
It became evident to the people of the world that a new liberal era was rushing through the floodgates despite centuries of prevention. The Congress of Vienna was a distant memory. Although liberal leaders were in power, conservatives still instituted some reforms. In Kansas, alcohol sales were prohibited, making it the first state to do so.
Further developments in farming technology increased productivity and decreased crop prices, thereby increasing sales, making farmers happier. Shipment also was made easier between cities as infrastructure production doubled. Because of this, a new era is now metamorphosing our country. Some are beginning to call this "Urbanization", or a movement to urban areas.Our country has had the most prosperous economy of any other. Using a portion of this wealth, on February 1st 1881, President Hayes signed a bill buying back the Indian Territory from the Confederate States and giving a speech about the decision shortly after. “One of the final scars left by the Democrats, the loss of US territory, has, at last, been healed. The territory will forever belong to the US.” Suffering from poor economic times, President Breckinridge agreed with the bill, signing away party of his country, but receiving much-needed wealth.
Signing this agreement skyrocketed Hayes’ popularity and the overall popularity of the Republican Party. Prior to this signing, only a general likeness for Hayes remained in the minds of Republicans in the United States. To many he was a disappointment, only enacting on minor legislation. However, he provided a kind face for America to show off to its European cousins. As farmers grew further neglected as urbanization dominated the country, Greenbacks began to fade. Many of the Greenback Party supporters had been discouraged by the 1880 elections, moving away from classic arguments to abandon the US National Bank. They realized that voters would not be willing to change anything monetarily related in the current surplus. Instead, the party campaigned for a harder income tax, women suffrage, and labor rights.
President Hayes also signed in a bill in 1881 making Indian transfer to citizenship much easier. In the same week, Hayes vetoed a treaty which would have annihilated “Sioux Country”. The country already seemed to be part of the United States, as all citizens were able to vote in US Elections, but SC members were not able to take part in any US programs. Indian (Sioux, Fox, Mohegan, Michigan tribe) population finally is beginning to bounce back after centuries of extreme depletion.
(Originally printed March 2nd as a collection of articles regarding Europe)
-A shocking news headline hit when liberal Russian Czar Alexander II was assassinated on March 13th 1881 by a thrown bomb. His son, Alexander III succeeded him. The new emperor was not nearly as liberal, and acted on many of his anti-reform policies during his reign, angering the Russian people immensely. German leader, Otto von Bismarck enjoyed the new Russian czar and held many forums with him. A loose alliance began to form between the German Empire and the Russian Empire.
(Originally printed September 1884, Collection of Articles)
-In July 1881, following a minor speech, a group of Civil War veterans questioned CS President Breckinridge about United States relations. Though supporters of Breckenridge wished for him to dodge the issue at the moment, Breckenridge decided to touch on it to raise his support. “My friends, you should already know how I feel about our unfriendly neighbors. I despise them. Those liberal heathens started it themselves when they infringed on our inherent right to secede based on political differences. Secession should still be legal throughout the world! There’s no reason why we should stand by and grind our teeth while pampered politicians make the rules for us! President Hayes issues his own radical reforms upon his country without the consent of the people within it! I encourage states in the United States to declare secession if they desire to do so. And if they need help to accomplish such a task, we’ll stand by.”
The following day, US President Hayes gave a speech responding to his nemesis. “First, let me say thank you my fellow citizens for allowing me the opportunity to speak before you. I stand here before you in awe over the simple arrogance and dimwitted absence of intelligence of our southerly neighbors. Legally, as Abraham Lincoln had said decades ago, states are not legally allowed to secede. I still know this is true! Our founding Constitution, which was agreed to by representatives from every Confederate state, does not include the word secession or anything of the like. They left our great country to institute selfish states rights laws and pro-slavery bills. It does not matter what the parties tell you there, slavery is still being utilized. As a matter of fact, I have proof that they are breaking international laws, specifically the Treaty of Havana, and still are in the process of withdrawing slaves from Cuba! I hereby request the formal aid and alliance of Great Britain, France, Germany, and Spain for security reasons. This is the first time in my presidency I honestly fear for the well-being of our country.”
Very soon after this speech was made, Hayes drafted treaties and alliance charters to the countries named. Alfonso XII, king of Spain, was the first to respond to Hayes’ request. He agreed to provide any and all aid against the Confederate States if need be. Queen Victoria held a private meeting with Hayes to discuss alliance matters. There, she promised the passing of an alliance through Parliament if any sort of war ended in mass cotton exportation to Britain. Victoria and Hayes came to an agreement, PM Gladstone passed the measure, and the two countries became intertwined. France agreed to provide monetary and arms support, but did not want to get involved heavily in any North American conflict. Germany simply declined.
These alliances frightened CS President Breckinridge, who remained alliance-less in these hard times. Britain and France declared trade embargoes onto the Confederacy, thereby halting all hopes of economic triumph in the South. In 1882, in response to the subsequent events and the plummeting Confederate economy, revolts sprung up throughout the country, with many blaming the president and the Democratic Party. States Rights representatives stirred up trouble screaming, “We gave them a second chance and this is how they repay us?! Not only are we weak and helpless, but already two feet underground! If even one rifle fires, we’re all as good as defeated!” On January 4th, 1882, Breckinridge's Vice President resigned, as did his Chief of Staff. The Breckinridge administration was collapsing, as was the country he was supposedly managing. “Recall! Recall! Recall!” people screamed and chanted all throughout Richmond.
In Europe, this was seen as a false war about slavery. Europe had rid them of slavery for half a century, thereby making the concept taboo. In the United States, everyone was on their toes for a possible second war. In the Confederacy, many were ready to forget about the entire concept of the CSA all together.
April 17th, 1882, a Cuban revolutionary fired upon a Confederate officer when his family was in the process of being enslaved illegally. A firefight broke out between the Confederates and the Cubans seconds later. This resulted in the death of each of the family members, including four children.
Upon hearing this, underground Cuban revolutionaries began firing upon groups of Confederate officials. José Martà led the backlash, still furious over the events which transpired over a decade ago. He would shout, “Breckinridge said he believes secession is legal! If so, Cuba has seceded from the Union!! Free Cuba!!” It wasn’t long before US troops touched upon Cuban soil to aid the revolutionaries. In an effort approved by Congress and President Hayes, multiple troops began to aid Cuban freedom fighters.
Arriving in the capital city of Havana, the advanced US troops easily wiped out the Confederate police officers and minor officials. The city was now the capital of a new, free Cuba. For months, Cuba was the battleground of this new war. Not even two weeks post-Battle of Havana, British troops landed in Havana and headed East. Unable to keep up with a two-front war, the CSA had no choice but to abandon the island and head for Florida. The 10th Confederate State now formally belonged to the United States.
Already winning the war with an early lead, President Hayes was now the most liked president since Jackson and Madison. The Republican Party was not expected to lose a single seat. Of course, the Democrats were terrified. [Winners highlighted in Bold, newly elected in Bold Italics, pickups in Bold+Italics+Underline] Class 2 was up to vote.
· Arkansas:
Jonathon Redfield (R) and James Walker (D).
· California
James T. Farley (D) and John F. Miller (R).
· Colorado
Thomas M. Bowen (R) and Nathaniel P. Hill (R).
· Connecticut
Orville H. Platt (R) and Joseph R. Hawley (R).
· Delaware
Thomas Bayard, Sr (D) and Eli M. Saulsbury (D).
· Illinois
Shelby M. Cullom (R) and John A. Logan (R)
· Indiana
Daniel W. Voorhees (D) and Benjamin Harrison (R)
· Iowa
William B. Allison (R) and James F. Wilson (R)
· Kansas
John J. Ingalls (R) and Preston B. Plumb (R)
· Kentucky
James B. Beck (D) and John S. Williams (D)
· Maine
William P. Fyre (R) and George W. Ladd (G)
· Maryland
James B. Groome (D) and Arthur Pue Gorman (D)
· Massachusetts
Henry L. Dawes (R) and George F. Hoar (R)
· Michigan
Thomas W. Palmer (R) and Omar G. Conger (R)
· Minnesota
Samuel J. R. McMillan (R) and Dwight M. Sabin (R)
· Nebraska
Charles F. Manderson (R) and Charles H. Van Wyke (R)
· Nevada
John P. Jones (R) and William Hess (G)
· New Hampshire
Austin F. Pike (R) and Henry W. Blair (R)
· New Jersey
James Tartaglia (R) and William J. Sewell (R)
· New York
(3)Roscoe Conkling (R)* and (1)Thomas C. Platt (R)
· Ohio
George H. Pendleton (D) and John Sherman (G)
· Oregon
Joseph N. Dolph (R) and James H. Slater (D)
· Pennsylvania
J. Donald Cameron (R) and James Mosgrove (G)
· Rhode Island
Henry B. Anthony (R) and Nelson W. Aldrich (R)
· Tennessee
Isham G. Harris (D) and Howell E. Jackson (D)
· Vermont
George F. Edmunds (R) and Justin S. Morrill (R)
· West Virginia
John W. Kenna (D) and James K. Ralph (R)
· Wisconsin
Philetus Sawyer (R) and Angus Cameron (R).
|
| 1882 Senatorial Election |
|
| Majority | Minority | Other |
Party | Republican | Democratic | Greenback&Indp. |
Last Election | 34 | 17 | 5 |
Seats Won | 38 | 14 | 4 |
Seat Change | +4 | -3 | -1 |
In the middle of a war, very, very few thought that the Republicans could lose. Everything was pretty much decided upon prior to the election itself, but it needed to be done. Democrats were harmed because of a measure which introduced anti-Chinese immigration to the table. It was quickly brought down. Hayes grinned upon hearing the results of the election and prepared for further actions of war.
The youth of the United States was geared up and ready for more fights against the anti-negro South. However, there were factions of voters who disliked the entire idea of war and promised not to vote for Hayes again following his actions. However, unknown to many, President Hayes met with former Commander-in-Chiefs Lincoln and McClellan to discuss war strategies. Former General Burnside had recently deceased and alas, could not provide input.
US and British troops arrived by ship in Florida on the high morning of November 20th, 1882. They planned to cut through the state and head north to Richmond. General Grant was given high command of this movement, and arrived in Florida that same morning. Generals William Sherman and Philip Sheridan contributed greatly strategically and operationally in the event.
Numerous Confederate troops were stationed in the peninsula state, commanded by Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson. They were extremely outnumbered, though, and left with outdated weaponry. Northern and British steam-run weaponry, funded with large sums of money as granted by a liberal bill and inspired somewhat by contemporary authors, blew apart the old mechanics of the CSA.
CS President Breckinridge appointed many Civil War generals to positions of high power in the war, but could not re-touch on his general capabilities.
Furious over a lack of action, lack of government, and lack of revenue, the state of Texas seceded from the Confederate States of America on November 27th, 1882. Breckinridge condemned the act with all the anger in his body, but his armies were all focused in the East and could not do anything to stop the Lone Star State. Texas governor and now-recognized “President of the Texan Republic”, Oran M. Roberts, announced a plan to attack Mexico to gain land and resources in the following months. The state-republic was not recognized by The United States or any European nation at the moment, and thus, nobody noticed or cared, with everyone’s eyes fixated on the “Second Civil War”.
The Confederacy was poised to collapse any moment. With no allies, no revenue, revolts, slave escapees, and the loss of two states in one year, things looked grim for the South. Breckinridge realized that something drastic needed to happen if the tide were to change in this war.
[The following is additional intelligence discovered recently in Virginian excursions] December 1882: With the self-named “Allied Forces” of the United States, Britain, and Spain climbing up Florida at an unprecedented rate, there was seemingly no stopping them. Breckinridge signed off a secret letter to Scott F. Jameson of South Carolina, a longtime slave of a wealthy plantation. The letter promised freedom, notoriety, and a gift of one million dollars if Jameson agreed to go on a “special excursion in the United States.” Jameson, of course, accepted the deal, and was transported to the North in a sealed carriage.
On the eve of December 13th 1882, Jameson arrived in West Virginia where President Hayes was making a recruitment speech to a well-known college in hopes of further raising troop levels. Upon finishing his speech and stepping down, Jameson leaped from behind him, pointed his revolver at the President, and shot him three times. Later discovered in autopsy, the first shot hit him in the chest, the second missed, and the third hit him in the skull. While reloading and attempting to run away, Scott Jameson was tackled by members of the crowd and had his wrists tied in rope. The President was immediately carried off to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
With Hayes deceased, it was up to Vice President James A. Garfield to take the role of President. He was inaugurated within days of the assassination and then gave a speech about what had happened. “The people of the United States, no more than two days ago, President Rutherford B. Hayes was shot two times by a revolver while finishing a speech in West Virginia. There is little known about the assassin, other than he is mentally unstable. When proven to be the killer, the man will immediately be publicly hanged. Now, it is with a heavy heart that I take on dear Hayes’ role of Commander-in-Chief. For the last 7 years, Rutherford has served his country well, in addition to being a great friend. I will continue where he left off. I was also a General in the First Civil War, and therefore, will lead our country to victory against the treacherous Southern states. Thank you.”
The assassination plan had gone off swimmingly, as believed by Breckinridge. Breckinridge had finally won a battle in this new war, but with new found anger and determination, the US would fight twice as hard.
In a trial held in January of 1883, Scott Jameson shockingly admitted his involvement with the CSA. He told the court that he did not do it on his own, and that he was pushed to do so by a Confederate official. Keeping one of his promises to Breckinridge, he did not name names, but explaining the background of the murder was not what Breckinridge had in mind. The CS President had hoped the shooting would unleash anger upon the blacks in the US, hurting progressive tactics, but now the enemy was not the Negroes, but the Confederates yet again.
Jackson surrendered to the United States Army on February 5th once captured in Lakeland, Florida following a quick battle. “Do not give up comrades! Remember your rights!” were his last words before being taken to a federal prison. Within the month, Florida was also lost.
Breckinridge desperately tried any means necessary to stop US advancement into his country, from treaties to personal conversations, but Garfield refused all. “I will not stop until you and your country are completely vanquished. I’m doing it for the American people and the late-President.”
To attempt to stop and stun US forces, the Carolinas seceded from the Confederate States and pledged to keep out of the war. This, however, did not stop the US-Britain-Spain coalition. Garfield commented, “Doing so would be a disaster in the long-run. We cannot and will not allow slavery and states rights to remain an issue in our world.”
Representatives of Florida, in acknowledgement of the Wade-Davis Bill, pledged an Iron-Clad Oath and the state was re-admitted into the Union. Troops continued to sweep through the East Coast, and by the next winter, reached Virginia. Cornered in Richmond, Breckinridge himself even began firing from the capitol. Finally, at gunpoint, the President surrendered to the United States and the Allied forces. “I admit, the experiment has failed. The Confederate States truthfully could not stand alone.”
There were three assassination attempts on President Garfield in the weeks following the end of the Second Civil War. Each, of course, failed. With higher security, the president was very well protected. “I understand the anger and frustration of the Confederate citizens. I completely understand your situation. But the time has come for us to come together as a country as accept what has transpired. If you really wish to show us your frustration, do so with your vote.”
Upon hearing this proclamation, many of the Southern states sped up their Ironclad Oaths. After Florida, Georgia and Louisiana followed. Before 1884, Virginia, North Carolina, Missouri, and Mississippi passed their Ironclad Oaths. It wasn’t until right before the election season that South Carolina officially passed it. Texas refused to do so, again stating that they were their own state-country. John Ireland, president of the Texan Republic, gave a speech thanking President Garfield for defeating the Confederates and promised not to be hostile in any future endeavors.
The United States was whole again, but now needed to work out quite a few problems. Reconstruction of the South would drain the US of some of its surplus capital, but it needed to happen to restore the country. After months of military control, new governors and legislatures now operated the eight returning states. Political districts were re-drawn and a new census was performed. This census allowed for a new process to count votes, a more accurate electoral vote, and accurate representation. All peoples living in the United States were counted, including American Indians, Chinese Immigrants, and Blacks. The black population in America had risen substantially once the servants were formally let free throughout the South, much to the chagrin of plantation owners. Many of these freedmen moved north to avoid being tortured by anti-negro groups such as the Klu Klux Klan.
As for Cuba, it was allowed to become an independent republic. As learned from the CSA, Cuba was not the right country to be taken as a colony and/or protectorate. When the war ended, Spain gave the United States control of Puerto Rico as a token of gratitude for eliminating the dangerous Confederates from the world stage. Spain was not thrilled that Cuba was not returned to them, but accepted that as inevitable. Cuba and the United States would remain allies.
Britain received the cotton they desired, and the alliance between the two countries grew stronger. France was also formally thanked for its service. German Kaiser Wilhelm strongly regretted not supporting the US once they won. Roger V watched the events from a distance. Russia’s Alexander III was busy in isolation, issuing strict censorship policies and creating secret police forces. Even though they were also quite isolated, the Byzantine Empire grew nervous of Russia’s inner turmoil. The Byzantines were able to dodge the liberal revolutions, only having to suppress one of which long ago.
--(The New America: A Collection of Articles printed from 1884 to today)--
It would take over a century for the former Confederate States to accept their place in the Union, but they had not other choice. The loose confederation plan failed miserably, as proven by Texas’ secession. John Breckinridge was now incarcerated for crimes against the states, as was every Confederate general. President Garfield signed a law in 1884 forbidding any member of public office to have had a history serving in the Confederate States Army or political scheme. The Southerners disliked Garfield and this law, but at the moment could do little to prevent such an action.
In 1884, the next presidential race was set to take place. As always, the Republicans and Greenbacks would run, but with the South reformed, the Democrats now had a chance to resume minority status. The Socialists had grown substantially popular in the far north in the last few years. President Garfield announced early in 1884 that he would not seek a second term, fearful of the political pressure from the south. This opened the stage for a whole new brand of politics.
There were a multitude of political issues to run campaigns on: Continuing alliances, making sure to keep the surplus, the issue of Texas, Africa, Cuba, and domestic affairs. But it was clear that the major issue of the next election would be how to handle the newly added states and the rebels within them.
These new states, which were solid conservative if not reactionary, were huge problems for the rising liberal and radical Republicans in the country. For them, the worst outcome in 1884 would be for only Conservatives to be elected to office, thus, a possible return to 1860 social issues: slavery and states’ rights.
The Republican National Convention had a colorful group of hopefuls attending. As Garfield refused to run again, he agreed to endorse a candidate following a group of speeches from the candidates. Those included perennial James G. Blaine of Maine and Vermont senator George F. Edmunds. Many believed New York senator Thomas C. Platt would announce his candidacy, but he kept suspiciously quiet and did not do so.
At the start of the convention, Blaine was already expected to win the nomination, but a few others pushed to prevent such actions from taking place. Massachusetts representative Henry Cabot Lodge led a coalition to nominate Edmunds, and successfully nominated colored John Lynch as keynote speaker. He won the position following an astounding speech by New York State Assemblyman Theodore Roosevelt. During a state roll call, a ten minute ovation took place following Maine. Blaine’s nomination was seconded by other politicians, many including General Ulysses Grant, giving speeches in favor of the senator. When Ohio was called, thousands cheered, hoping that Garfield delegates would announce a decision to run again, but it never came. Vermont was also cheered loudly for as Edmunds was nominated. John Sherman, Roosevelt, John Lynch, and Henry Cabot Lodge announced their favor for Edmunds. The crowd was deathly silent when former Confederate states were called.
When the balloting began, Blaine, as speculated, won more than half of the delegate votes, 531, with the remaining three hundred or so in favor of Edmunds. John A. Logan won the Vice-Presidential nomination. Finally receiving the nomination he fought so hard for, James G. Blaine pledged to campaign steadily and look towards the future and not the past.
Many progressives, liberals, and radicals in the United States disliked James G. Blaine and after he won the nomination, pledged to vote to other parties, mainly the Greenback Party.
A week before the Greenback National Convention was set to take place; former President Abraham Lincoln unleashed an astounding announcement upon the country. “Today, May 21st of 1884, a coalition force was finally formed between two of our nation’s greatest parties, your Greenback-Labor Party and the Socialist Labor Party. Both of our political groups have identical aspirations for our country. We both desire for equal rights among both men and women. We both desire to achieve unity through peaceful forums and elections. We both hope to give a voice to the workers of this country! The movers and shakers, the less fortunate, both whites and blacks together... this is the party you’ve been looking for. Unlike Germany which prohibits labor groups and now censors its Social Democratic party, these United States are ready now more than ever for this group. Thank you all.”
Immediately, hopes rose for Lincoln to announce another Presidential run, but he had grown old and unable to handle the stress of leadership. The new, Socialist Labor Party of America had some very high potential going for it.
In Indiana, the site of the Greenback National Convention was now the new site for the Socialist Labor National Convention. Political refugees from Germany helped to shape the site and in turn, the party. When the convention began, James Weaver declined a second run, instead running as a Greenback in Iowa. As dreaded, Lincoln refused to run, but wholly nominated George W. Ladd, senator from Maine, with John Fairbanks, political activist from Ohio, as Vice President. Once winning the nomination unopposed, Ladd gave a speech similar to Lincoln’s, condemning both Democrats and Republicans for favoring big business and not standing up for the American people.
The Democrats were now in the process of tuning up and getting ready for revitalization after recruiting new states. With the South returned, the Democrats could return to running as conservatives, though that would alienate the North. Numerous candidates were available, stemming back from the days of McClellan. Democrats believed someone like McClellan would be able to sweep the South and win the election single highhandedly, but the new North would never vote for someone like him. Samuel Tilden rejected a second run at the presidency, health deteriorating. Popular contender Winfield Scott Hancock also rejected the idea, stating the South would not vote for a northerner war hero. With most of the major contenders refusing to vote, only one prominent Democrat remained: New York governor Grover Cleveland. Cleveland would prove to be popular in both the North and South. Thomas Hendricks was chosen as the Vice Presidential nominee.
The race was all set and ready. Republican ticket Blaine/Logan, SLP ticket Ladd/Fairbanks, and Democratic ticket Cleveland/Hendricks. Prohibitionists also ran a candidate, as always, but failed to gain any headwind in the process.
Grover Cleveland was the opposite of George Ladd, he was a pro-business, low tariff Bourbon Democrat. “I stand for the American people. Businesses help to flourish our great nation and have made us a prominent figure financially. They want to end all that! What’s the use of eliminating businesses if that’s what makes our country so grand? Ladd will tarnish our nation and lead us to misery. Refusing to use gold to its maximum potential is irrefutably flawed argument. And then you have my other opponent Blaine, who has used more of the people’s money for private interests than any other politician! I stand firmly against anyone who’s willing to utilize political corruption and always will.”
Moderate Republicans were infuriated with every candidate in the upcoming election and wished for the impossible return to Rutherford Hayes’ administration. Most of the moderates and liberals in the party stood against James Blaine, but at the same time disliked the idea of Ladd as president, thereby opening more doors for Cleveland to step through.
On the morning of July 21st, a scandal broke out when news was released that Grover “the good” had an illicit child born out of wedlock. Cleveland decided to come out candid with the story and admit to having a “connection” with the woman and that a child was born. He did not admit to being the father of the child in question and did not respond to the proof that the mother was placed in an asylum. This greatly harmed the humanity of Cleveland, but Blaine was not much better. The many scandals of his political career drover many Republicans to fight for Cleveland and Ladd, calling themselves “Mugwumps”.
Once Blaine realized his popularity was fading, he gave a speech denouncing Democrats. “Listen, people of America, yes, my past has been stained with a select few incidents of unwise decisions, but this streak has long ended. We must come to realize the true issues and please go past the past. This nonsense is going to stun our great nation. We have just experienced a great unity in this land. Eight states have returned to the Union. This is a monumentally important time to show the newcomers our ideals. We will not bend to the spontaneous will of the loud as the Confederacy did. Under President Hayes, our country has thrived. Who are any of us to refuse the continuing Republican prosperity? With myself as President, I promise we will continue Hayes-like domestic policy.”
Finally recognizing the giant elephant in the room, Blaine was the first to seriously address the incoming states, something Cleveland was terrified to do.
In the final weeks of the campaign, it seemed as though Blaine would dominate the election. However, a thorn in his side arrived in the form of Reverend Dr. Samuel Burchard, who in a speech witnessed by Blaine, spoke an anti-Catholic slur, “Rum, Romanism, and Rebellion.” Blaine failed to notice the fluke, and thereby New York City Catholics decided to turn to Cleveland.
Still, Blaine was on top when it came to talking about the issues. Cleveland continued up to Election Night attacking Blaine for his poor character. Ladd continued campaigning heavily in the North, but knew there was no way he would win without the electoral vote in New York which was highly unstable.
In the Senate, large amounts of seats were vacant to be used. The new states were wide open for candidates, though many already knew who would be winning in those states, countering the previous Republican majority in both houses.
On Election Day, voters had no idea who to vote for. Many disliked all of the candidates, and thus, chose to stay home.
On the evening of the forthcoming day, tenses were high as many were not sure what to expect. The first states called were Connecticut (51% R, 30% SLP, 19% D), New Hampshire (54% R, 36% SLP, 10% D), Vermont (45% R, 40% SLP, 15% D), and Maine (53% R, 25% SLP, 22% D). New Jersey (49% R, 30% SLP, 21% D), Rhode Island (40% D, 35% R, 25% SLP), and Massachusetts (55% R, 40% SLP, 5% D) were next. The trend in New England, and possibly the country, was that Cleveland could not compete with Republicans in general. Blaine’s poor character was made up for the fact that he was a Republican.
The potential game-changer was approaching, New York. But Pennsylvania (39% SLP, 31% R, 30% D) came first with its huge turnaround. The name change from Greenback to SLP did not change the newfound radical voting in the state. Delaware (40% R, 34% SLP, 26% D) and Maryland (47% D, 40% R, 13% SLP) followed. West Virginia (43% D, 40% R, 17% SLP) and the first Southern State, Virginia (68% D, 26% SLP, 6% R) were called next. Finally, the closest race in the country, New York (41% R, 40% D, 19% SLP), finished. North Carolina (70% D, 16% R, 14% SLP), South Carolina (68% D, 20% R, 12% SLP), Georgia (65% D, 30% R, 5% SLP), Florida (73% D, 20% R, 7% SLP), and Kentucky (45% R, 41% D, 14% SLP) were called. So far, Cleveland had 66, Blaine had 81, and Ladd had 30.
Ohio (61% SLP, 30% R, 9% D), Indiana (80% R, 18% R, 2% D), and Tennessee (56% R, 40% D, 4% SLP) were next. Michigan (47% R, 37% SLP, 16% D), and Wisconsin (45% SLP, 43% R, 12% D) followed. Illinois (48% SLP, 40% R, 12% D), Minnesota (48% R, 36% SLP, 16% D), Alabama (75% D, 10% R, 15% SLP), Mississippi (80% D, 13% R, 7% SLP), Louisiana (68% D, 25% R, 7% SLP), Arkansas (53% D, 24% R, 23% SLP), Missouri (40% R, 37% D, 33% D), Iowa (67% SLP, 30% R, 3% D), Kansas (56% R, 43% D, 1% SLP), Nebraska (60% R, 26% D, 24% SLP), and Colorado (45% SLP, 41% R, 14% D) were called.
Lastly, California (57% R, 40% SLP, 3% D), Nevada (51% R, 32% D, 17% SLP) and Oregon (46% R, 43% D, 11% SLP) were called.
The new President of the United States was undoubtedly James G. Blaine.
The final standings came down to Blaine with 186 votes, Cleveland with 100 votes and Ladd with 102 votes. Even with the South back in the Union, a logical Democrat could not get elected in the White House, or even come in second place. Immediately, small revolts broke out in South Carolina, Mississippi, and Virginia. All of which were put down by federal troops.
Cleveland begrudgingly accepted his loss, but in secret, was in the planning stage for the 1888 primaries. Ladd knew his job was finished, notifying the Socialist groups in America how popular the theories had become.
[Winners highlighted in Bold, newly elected in Bold Italics, pickups in Bold+Italics+Underline] Class 3 was up to vote.] Most of the Democratic candidates in the South had a history in the Confederate States, and was thereby taken off the ballot.
· Alabama
(2) Willard Warner (R)and (3) Benjamin Howland (R)
· Arkansas:
(2) Jonathon Redfield (R) and (3) James K. Jones (D).
· California
(3) Leeland Stanford (R) and (1) John F. Miller (R).
· Colorado
(2) Thomas M. Bowen (R) and (3) Benjamin Zeeson (SLP)
· Connecticut
(3) Ulysses Rochester (SLP) and (1) Joseph R. Hawley (R).
· Delaware
(1) Thomas Bayard, Sr. (D) and (2) Eli M. Saulsbury (D).
· Florida
(1) Charles W. Jones (D) and (3) John Hayworth (R)
· Georgia
(2) Joseph E. Brown (D) and (3) Frederick Colt (R)
· Illinois
(3) Shelby M. Cullom (R) and (3) Charles B. Farwell (R)
· Indiana
(3) Daniel W. Voorhees (D) and (1) Benjamin Harrison (R)
· Iowa
(3) William B. Allison (R) and (2) James F. Wilson (R)
· Kansas
(3) John J. Ingalls (R) and (2) Preston B. Plumb (R)
· Kentucky
(2) James B. Beck (D) and (3) Joseph Blackburn (D)
· Louisiana
(2) Ronald Howardson (R) and (3) P.B.S. Pinchback (R)
· Maine
(2) William P. Fyre (R) and (1) George W. Ladd (G)
· Maryland
(3) Ephraim K. Wilson (D) and (1) Arthur Pue Gorman (D)
· Massachusetts
(1) Henry L. Dawes (R) and (2) George F. Hoar (R)
· Michigan
(2) Thomas W. Palmer (R) and (1) Omar G. Conger (R)
· Minnesota
(1) Samuel J. R. McMillan (R) and (2) Dwight M. Sabin (R)
· Mississippi
(1) James Z. George (D) **exempt from CS Law and (2) Lucius Q. C. Lamar (D)
· Missouri
(1) John Zarko (R) and (3) Daniel Graham (R)
· Nebraska
(2) Charles F. Manderson (R) and (1) Charles H. Van Wyke (R)
· Nevada
(3) John P. Jones (R) and (1) William Hess (G)
· New Hampshire
(2) Austin F. Pike (R) and (3) Adolph Koch (SLP)
· New Jersey
(2) James Tartaglia (R) and (1) William J. Sewell (R)
· North Carolina
(2) George Toto (R) and (3) Leeland McDonald (R)
· New York
(3)William M. Evarts (R) and (1) Thomas C. Platt (R)
· Ohio
(3) Martin J. Short (SLP) and (1) John Sherman (G)
· Oregon
(2) Joseph N. Dolph (R) and (3) John H. Mitchell (D)
· Pennsylvania
(3) J. Donald Cameron (R) and (1) James Mosgrove (G)
· South Carolina
(2) Anthony Casanova (R) and (3) John R. Applebuck (R)
· Rhode Island
(2) Jonathon Chase (R) and (1) Nelson W. Aldrich (R)
· Tennessee
(2) Isham G. Harris (D) and (1) Howell E. Jackson (D)
· Vermont
(1) George F. Edmunds (R) and (3) Justin S. Morrill (R)
· Virginia
(1) Harris Davis (D) and (2) Karl Benton (R)
· West Virginia
(2) John W. Kenna (D) and (1) James K. Ralph (R)
· Wisconsin
(1) Philetus Sawyer (R) and (3) John C. Spooner (R)
|
| 1884 Senatorial Election |
|
| Majority | Minority | Other |
Party | Republican | Democratic | SLP, GB, Ipd. |
Last Election | 38 | 14 | 4 |
Seats Won | +19 | +3 | +4 |
Seat Change | 49 | 17 | 8 |
In the House of Representatives, the 302 seats were won by:
186 Republicans, 75 Democrats, and 41 Socialist Labor
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