Posted on 09/06/2020 6:50:40 AM PDT by Homer_J_Simpson
BALTIMORE, Tuesday, Aug. 4. 1860. The friends of Judge DOUGLAS are making extensive preparations to give him an imposing reception on his return to this city from the South. He will be in Frederick, a place of some six thousand inhabitants, in the western part of Maryland, to-morrow, where he is expected to speak. A committee of one hundred has been appointed to meet him at the cars on Thursday, when he arrives here. He will slop at the Gilmor House, and make his contemplated Baltimore speech -- congenial, of course, to our locality -- during the evening. The "Little Giant's" friends in Baltimore seem to have taken fresh courage. Many of them, indeed -- however hallucinated the hope -- are flattering themselves that he will yet be elected President by the people. It is surprising to see how confidently they express themselves on this obscure point. I must confess, however, that chances are brightening in the Douglas cause within the limits of our metropolis. Many persons are declaring for it who heretofore remained silent. The rank and file are at work; it seems to be a war of the "outs" against the "ins" of expectants, in opposition to those who hold offices. Mr. BRECKINRIDGES's advocates appear somewhat on the wane; they have been out-generaled by the Douglas faction in making it appear that they (the Douglasites) are the true Democracy. A fierce contest was waged upon this subject for some time. The Seceders attempted vigorously to show that they were the only legitimates, but, after exhausting numerous arguments, could not succeed in establishing their point. Old Democratic politicians and their followers, as a general thing, incline most towards the Front-street Theatre nominations. They look upon it as regular, the other (Maryland Institute) irregular.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
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
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Homer, have you formed an intention on whether to extend this survey through the Civil War, as you did so brilliantly and memorably with WW2? Mind sharing it?
Yes, my intention from the first was to go through mid-1865. I just didn’t want to jinx myself by acting over-confident. I guess it will soon be time to change my posting message. Thank you for the nice compliment.
I've read Shelby Foote's three volumes, and I expect that a day-by-day recapitulation would be tremendous--although I expect your resources couldn't compare to what you had previously. But if anyone can do it....
Kindly add me to your Ping List. I'm 71 with heart trouble, but if I make 76 I'll see you at Appomattox.
Welcome aboard and it's good to have you back on the time-trail with us.
I will post from Foote's narrative from time to time but he wasn't thinking about my needs when he wrote it. He was derelict in staying chronological and providing dates. I find that Bruce Catton was much more considerate in that regard, so he is my regular source. That is, his Civil War narrative, not his Army of the Potomac trilogy.
Afternoon Teach.
I can’t wait to November 6th. The Democrats will go apoplectic.
I can’t wait till November 3rd. The Democrats will go apoplectic.
One hundred and sixty years apart.
History does indeed rhyme.
5.56mm
I cannot say that you and your previous series inspired me to tackle this. In fact, in the link above to today's thread I explain how God was specifically responsible; and the Holy Spirit will carry me along as He wishes. But your dogged persistence, day after day, year after year, will always be my shining example. Fortunately, I LOVE doing it, so it is the farthest thing from drudgery--as I expect is the case with you.
Yes, I get great satisfaction when I can tickle someone’s fancy of turn on a light bulb for them. As was the case with the WWII series I am learning a great deal myself. I was relatively well read on WWII - thought downright ignorant compared to some of my fellow students (hello CougarGA7 and henkster) but of the 1850s and 60s I was a blank canvas when I began. That’s a big reason I started in 1855 - so I could read up and know what to look for before the shooting starts next year. A big factor this time is access to material. The Saturdays at the library ended with VJ Day, due to domestic concerns. But my improved technological situation means I have access to Harper’s Weekly and NY Times as long as I need them. I can do the whole thing from home. My only concern is that something beyond my control will prevent me from continuing. But nobody on earth doesn’t have that as a contingency. So I don’t worry about it much.
So, do you suppose Henkster's Law applies only to the Germans, or is there also a Confederate version? Or is he still in the research phase?
I wish you could ask him. He still posts on FR but for some reason he quit posting on my threads. Maybe he is lurking, I don’t know. But I miss his presence.
Yes, a favorite of mine, too. Thought of him recently, being unable to attend his cherished Indy 500.
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