New Millennium on Hold

An editorial from a newspaper in Seneca Falls, New York that leaned toward the Democrat Party (and which must have been published about 150 years ago this week):

The Fulfillment of Prophesy.

Upon the eve of last Fall’s election our Republican friends assured us that the election of Mr. LINCOLN to the Presidency would lead to a glorious condition of things, and that the peace and prosperity of the country depended upon the success of the Republican candidate.the triumph of Republican principles was all that was then desired to give the finishing touch to the individual happiness of every man, woman, and child. There could be no doubt of this, nothing more certain. The rich man would prosper and property would enhance in value to an unprecedented figure, while the labor of the poor man would be in great demand, with wages to correspond. Manufactures would certainly increase and the mechanics of the land would go clothed in “purple and fine linen.” Everybody would prosper far beyond all human calculations, and the earth would be transformed into a Paradise, filled with choice boquets and fervent piety. – Pro-Slavery Democrats would be changed into Divines, or dispatched to the regions of bliss astride of some ponderous negro. In short, the election of Mr. LINCOLN was to be considered as a sort of Providential Dispensation, and a panacea for all the ills that afflicted the body politic, – in reality the dawn of the New Millennium. Mr. LINCOLN is President. Nearly five months have elapsed since his inauguration, and what is the result? Look to our own village and answer. Business is prostrated, our

mechanics and laboring men thrown out of employment and in many cases in destitute circumstances. What is true of our village applies with equal force to every community throughout the length and breadth of the land. When the sun rose on the morning of the last election, it shone upon a prosperous, peaceful and united people. Our Government was the pride and admiration of every American citizen. Its power, and influence, and greatness was felt and acknowledged by all nations. It now struggles in the throes of dissolution and death. Its power and strength is no longer is no longer acknowledged and respected by Governments abroad. Rebellion has raised its hydra head and bids defiance to its power. We are plunged into a civil war, and the Government placed in the hands of politicians, and not statesmen. Incompetency and imbecility rule the day. These things were prophecied and the people everywhere warned of the consequences, but without affect. Did anyone ever witness such a condition of affairs upon the election of a Democratic President? Does anyone believe that we should have been thus afflicted had Mr. LINCOLN and the Republican party been defeated at the last election?

This editorial reminded me of some current political speech. It seems like it is meant to fire up the like-minded by using hyperbole to put impossible expectations on the opponent.

I can understand why people would disagree with Lincoln’s policies, but to accuse the Republicans of being politicians is interesting – the Democrat “statesmen” split the party asunder in 1860 – that had to make Lincoln’s election at least easier.

I’d like to write more, but I have to put on my top hat and get to work.