1864: “A General and Warrior on a Peace Platform”

September 3, Saturday.

New York City is shouting for McClellan, and there is a forced effort elsewhere to get a favorable response to the proceeding at Chicago. As usual some timid men are alarmed, and there are some like Raymond, Chairman of the National Committee who have no fixed and reliable principles that are without confidence and another set, like Greeley, who have a lingering hope that they can yet have an opportunity to make a new candidate. But this will soon be over. The issue is made up. It is whether a war shall be made against Lincoln to get peace with Jeff Davis. Those who met at Chicago prefer hostility to Lincoln rather than Davis. Such is extreme partisanism.

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1864: “This Administration Will Not Be Elected”

Executive Mansion
Washington, Aug. 23, 1864.

This morning, as for some days past, it seems exceedingly probable that this Administration will not be reelected. Then it will be my duty to so cooperate with the President elect, as to save the Union between the election and inauguration; as he will have secured his election on such ground that he can not possibly save it afterwards.
A. Lincoln

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1864 Election Artwork

Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln

In the modern political arena, campaign “branding” has followed the trends of businesses. It just makes sense to have symbols that are bold and easily recognizable. We live in a fast-paced society, so campaign artwork has to be quick to see and remember.

However, during the 19th Century some of the political campaign posters could be considered works of art, using imagery to share the party or candidates platform and goals. Continue reading

Politics – Civil War Style

As many of you know, I’ve recently taken the role of Assistant Blog Editor for Emerging Civil War. It’s continuing to be a fun and challenging experience. As a writer, I think it’s awesome. I get to play with more words, edit, and interact with other writers.

emerging civil war

Well, one of the tasks of the “job” is finding ways to bring new historical ideas and content to the ECW website. I like information to be interesting and relevant…so with all the political drama in the modern world, we were inspired to dig out some of the political drama from the Civil War era. Continue reading