Harper’s Weekly – January 22, 1859

Harper's Weekly archives ^ | January 22, 1859

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[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 thread

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Fearful Sufferings at Sea – 2-3
A Rambling Story – 3-4
Editorials – 4-6
The Lounger – 6-7
The Loss of the Steamer “C. Vanderbilt” – 8-11
Perils of Travel in India – 11-13
Incidents of Travel on the Tehuantepec Route – 14-20
Snapdragon – 20-24
Our New Minister to Spain – 24-25
Chess Chronicle – 26
Old Winter – 26

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Gerrit Smith to Franklin B. Sanborn, January 22, 1859

PETERBORO’, Jan. 22, 1859.

MY DEAR SIR, — I have yours of the 19th. I am happy to learn that the Underground Railroad is so prosperous in Kansas. I cannot help it now, in the midst of the numberless calls upon me. But I send you twenty-five dollars, which I wish you to scud to our noble friend John Brown. Perhaps you can get some other contributions to send along with it. He is doubtless in great need of all be can get. The topography of Missouri is unfavorable. Would that a spur of the Alleghany extended from the east to the west borders of the State! Mr. Morton has not yet returned. We hope he may come to-night.

In haste, your friend,
GERRIT SMITH.

P. S. Dear Theodore Parker! May Heaven preserve him to us!

SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 483

civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com

Gerrit Smith Wikipedia page

Franklin B. Sanborn Wikipedia page

[SueRae]

I just came upon this reviewing my ‘pinged’ posts. Nice reading first thing this morning. The writing is quite good, even if it was about a dreadful sea wreck. My great great grandfather was a sea captain of a barkentine back in that timeframe and in New England. Not an easy occupation.

[M Kehoe]

Bttt.

5.56mm

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Judge Martin F. Conway to John Brown, January 23, 1859

LAWRENCE, K. T., Jan. 23, 1859.

DEAR SIR, — I have been able to see Whitman but once since I got your previous letter, and then he promised to come and see me about it; but he has not done so. I am of opinion that you will not be able to get any funds from him. He expressed himself to me since his return from the East as dissatisfied at your proceedings in Lawrence when you were here before. He has always complaints to make about his pecuniary sufferings in connection with the National Kansas Committee. Still, it may be as well for you to look after him at this time. Anything I can do for you I will do; but I am extremely pinched for money, and am unable to do anything in that way. If, however, you can suggest anything within my power by which I may aid you, I am at your service. You know Mr. Whitman is living out of town. He does not come in very often. I shall keep “entirely dark,” of course.

Very truly your friend,
M. F. CONWAY.

SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 484

civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com

[Tax-chick]

Hmmm. There’s something rather cagey about this communication.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from January 20 (reply #11.)

The Diary of George Templeton Strong, Edited by Allan Nevins and Milton Halsey Thomas

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Happy birthday, George. 39 years old in 1859, 199 in 2019.

The Diary of George Templeton Strong (editors’ preface), Edited by Allan Nevins and Milton Halsey Thomas

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from January 25 (reply #8.)

The Diary of George Templeton Strong, Edited by Allan Nevins and Milton Halsey Thomas

[Rebelbase]

I hope John Brown doesn’t do anything rash.

[Tax-chick]

It could have very bad results for him, but he’s definitely not risk-averse ...

[BroJoeK]

I notice two editorials which could bear on future events...

1. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that cities & counties are not allowed to repudiate their debts.
   A matter taken for granted today apparently that was not always so.
   We may see this issue of debt repudiation again, if, oh say, certain, ahem... states were to declare, ah, disunion...

2. Perhaps the most famous personality of the time, Charles Dickens, is now considering a second visit to the United States.
   His first visit in 1842 did not go so well -- Dickens felt defrauded & cheated by Americans and it left a bad taste in his mouth that never really left him.
   So now the media breathlessly reports he's planning a second visit, and sincerely hopes we'll be able to make up to him what we did wrong the last time.

Somehow I fear Dickens' second visit might get delayed, and his bad feelings for Americans could have undue influence on his opinions of us should, ah, ahem... political push come to shove domestically...

Dickens at his desk, 1858:

Here is what Dickens thought of us in 1842:

1. "First and most serious is slavery.
   Apart from its corruption of both whites and blacks in slave states, the free states are complicit in the system.
   In particular, he is horrified by the physical violence vented on both male and female slaves.

2. "Next, he places violence.
   The ideals of liberty and equality seem to include the freedom to shoot or knife any other American.

3. "Third, he cites what he calls universal distrust, the extreme individualism that leads people to suspect others and to seek advantage over them.
   With a few exceptions, the scandal-seeking press contributes by undermining private life and destroying confidence in public life.

4. "Allied to this is the overriding commercialism, with the urge to pull off a smart deal and the idolisation of successful businessmen.
   In this capitalist jungle, he finds most people far too serious and puritanical, lacking humour and a wider perspective.

5. "Finally, in too many places he finds standards of personal cleanliness and public health still very primitive and is particularly disgusted by the almost universal habit of spitting."

On visiting in Washington, DC, including President Tyler:

"As for the politicians, Dickens concluded that, like everyone else in America, they were motivated by money, not ideals.

'I am disappointed,' he wrote in a famous letter.
'This is not the republic of my imagination.'

Washington, Dickens blasted in American Notes, was the home of: 'Despicable trickery at elections; under-handed tamperings with public officers; and cowardly attacks upon opponents, with scurrilous newspapers for shields, and hired pens for daggers'. "

Thankfully, none of that is true today, is it? ;-)

And to top it all: Americans stole money from Dickens by refusing to pay him royalties for printing his works.
Fair to say, Dickens was p*ss*ed as h*ll at us, and would take an opportunity, should it present itself, to seek revenge.

So naturally, Americans loved Dickens, a love which Dickens will not return until near the end of his life...

[Rebelbase]

“With a few exceptions, the scandal-seeking press contributes by undermining private life and destroying confidence in public life.”

What’s old is new again.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

A different slant than that of Alexis de Tocqueville

[rockrr]

'I am disappointed,' he wrote in a famous letter. 'This is not the republic of my imagination.'

In other words, "Where is the benevolent Socialist state I was promised?"

[rdl6989]

Perish the thought.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

[Continued from January 27 (reply #10.)]

January 28. Mr. Ruggles came in this evening delighted with the effect his final report as Commissioner is producing among the anti-canal enlargement people – The Constipation Party.* Finding its facts and logic troublesome, they are attacking it as coming in too late, that is, after the expiration of his official term (the only period for a final report, one would think), and because he had thoughtlessly put “Canal Commissioner” after his signature, though describing himself as “late Commissioner” in the body of the report.

* Since his appointment to the Erie Canal Board in the summer of 1858, Ruggles, who was chosen president, had been active in promoting the interests of the great artery. The report here mentioned was the Annual Report of the Board for the year 1858; a document which argued the immense value of the canal in spite of the growing traffic of the railroads. The use of the canal was indeed soon to increase tremendously.

The Diary of George Templeton Strong, Edited by Allan Nevins and Milton Halsey Thomas

[colorado tanker]

Ol’ John isn’t where he can raid and steal from any more Missouri houses. But, when he’s pinched he usually gets in a raiding mood . . .

[colorado tanker]

That Lincoln fella out West seemed to appreciate the potential of those newfangled railroads . . .