Category Archives: Postbellum Society

ethno-cupid

150 years ago Harper’s Weekly observed Valentine’s Day with a cartoon featuring six cupids representing different ethnic groups. The New-York Times noted that the post office was being swamped with valentine missives. That apparently wasn’t a new phenomenon – eight … Continue reading

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scalped

From the January 16, 1869 issue of Harper’s Weekly (pages 41-42): THE INDIAN WAR. THE Indian Peace Commission of 1867 accomplished greater harm than benefit. Treaties were entered into with The Cheyennes, Arrapahoes, Kiowas, Comanches, and at the recommendation of … Continue reading

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lest you forget

In January 1869 a National Convention of the Colored Men of America was held in Washington, D.C. On January 19th a delegation from the Convention called on President-elect Ulysses S. Grant to congratulate him for the victory and to remind … Continue reading

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happy new wheels

Based on its January 9, 1869 cover, it seems that Harper’s Weekly had pretty great expectations for the new year in general and president-elect Ulysses S. Grant in particular. It’s true that General Grant did successfully carry out the political … Continue reading

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nationalist reunion

From the January 9, 1869 issue of Harper’s Weekly: THE ARMY REUNION AT CHICAGO THE immense congregation of officers and soldiers assembled at Chicago on the 15th and 16th of December were representatives of our volunteer armies. Many were present … Continue reading

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the velocipede revolution

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

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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dark deed in broad daylight

In mid-October 1868 The New-York Times reported that Benjamin F. Randolph, a black clergyman and Republican state legislator, was murdered in South Carolina. In its November 21, 1868 issue, Harper’s Weekly reprinted the report of a Charleston newspaper: MURDER OF … Continue reading

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marching orders

On November 3, 1868 Republican candidate Ulysses S. Grant was elected President of the United States. He garnered about 300,000 more votes than his Democratic challenger Horatio Seymour. In the electoral college he won 214 votes compared to 80 for … Continue reading

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rigging vigorously

150 years ago this month three New York City newspapers published reports of alleged voter fraud. It seems that the October 10, 1868 issue of Harper’s Weekly is saying that the legal process of naturalization was being corrupted by men … Continue reading

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