Category Archives: American Society

Constitutional Theorizing

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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Bull Hamlin?

Yesterday morning I was reading a review of Robert Caro’s latest book on the life of Lyndon B. Johnson. Daniel Patrick Moynihan is said to have described LBJ’s descent from Senate Majority Leader to the sideline job of vice-president as … Continue reading

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“Teeth extracted by Electricity, without pain.”

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch May 12, 1862: Artificial Teeth–the Cheoplastic and Vulcanite Process. –G. W. Jones, Dentist, having the right for the above mode of making Teeth, and being satisfied of its absolute superiority over all other methods, can … Continue reading

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Not an Abolitionist in the American Sense

A letter to Britain 150 years ago this week. To Sir Charles Lyell. Boston, February 11, 1862 MY DEAR LYELL,-No doubt, I ought to have written to you before. But I have had no heart to write to my friends … Continue reading

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Enveloping Responsibilty

Can’t we just let the professional politicians worry about it? _________________________________________________ The suspense was driving me crazy

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St. Louis Blues v. Grays

Isn’t the telegraph great?. People in New York can read news from St. Louis as quickly as from Gotham itself. Missouri, a border state, is more divided than other states. The Union Provost-Marshall General wants to monitor newspapers throughout the … Continue reading

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(Half) Empty Nest Syndrome – Verboten!

Here’s an image from last year (1861) that I missed. It is the policy of the Lincoln administration, and I would think, many Northerners agree with the sentiment given how many men have volunteered so far. As long ago as … Continue reading

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A Dysfunctional Family?

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