There are several events of great import in the years prior to secession and the onset of hostilities. For example, we are currently in the period between the oral arguments and the announcement of the decision in the Dred Scott case. Later we will have the Lincoln's House Divided speech, then the Lincoln-Douglas debates, and in late 1859 the Harper's Ferry incident. During this same period, however, there are long periods where there is not much in the day-to-day news to keep this projecting humming along, unless I find things like Harper's Magazine or G.T. Strong's diary to post. Strong's political views and later his involvement in the Federal Sanitary Commission are directly relevant to our core subject. For things like the Burdell murder case and the like, the best I can say is that they provide insight to the times as viewed through the eyes of a certain class of easterners.
Beginning January 1858 I'm pretty sure I can provide Harper's Weekly postings (a different publication than Harper's Magazine) to liven things up.
OK, well I’m enjoying this Burdell murder case and hope you keep it going to its conclusion (don’t tell me what happens...).
:)
I'm very curious what a fine observer of people like GTS thinks about it all.