Editorials: Political Prospects; Congressional Decency (5/12/1860)

New York Times archives - Times Machine ^ | 5/12/1860

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Special Dispatch to the New-York Times. BALTIMORE, Thursday, May 10. The political condition of the country is as completely chaotic as the most zealous lover of disorder could possibly desire. At no period within twenty-five years has there been so complete a rupture of all the bonds that usually hold parties together, or such an entire uncertainty as to the prospects of a pending Presidential election. The Democratic Party which has preserved a form of nationality longer than any other, has at last been rent asunder by the same influences which have destroyed all other political organizations.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1855-1860: Seminar and Discussion Forum
Bleeding Kansas, Dred Scott, Lincoln-Douglas, Harper’s Ferry, the election of 1860, secession – all the events leading up to the Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: Sometime in the future.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

Posting history, in reverse order

To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by reply or freepmail.

Link to previous New York Times thread

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

Editorial: Political Prospects – 2
Editorial: Congressional Decency – 2
Steamboat Casualties, Fires and other news – 2-3

[BroJoeK]

In May 1860 the Democrat Party seems to be splitting up, just as the old Whigs split North vs. South a few years previous.
And just as the Whigs' demise helped elect Democrat Presidents in 1852 & 1856, so the Democrats' split bodes well for Republicans in 1860.

That much the New York Times seems to understand, so far.
But I'm not seeing any signs they yet grasp the extent of disaster a Republican win in November will bring.