The Costs of the War
Reconstruction (U.S. history, 1865-1877)
In early Reconstruction, the Walla Walla Statesman joins other newspapers across the United States in reckoning the cost of the war. Editorials have been devoted to the financial cost, to the lost opportunity costs, but here to the human costs in casualties and in artificial limbs for those who survived.
Walla Walla Statesman
Walla Walla W.T.: R.R. and S.G. Rees
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Republican Party Split on Negro Suffrage
Republican Party (U.S. : 1854- )
Here, in early Reconstruction, the Republican Party is reported to be struggling to avoid a split in its ranks over the issue of black suffrage. Many who had advocated war to save the union and - indeed - to free the slaves did not expect to set blacks on an equal footing socially, politically and economically. This Democratic newspaper editor, in Walla Walla, Washington Territory, is enthusiastic about what may signal the demise of the Republican Party.
Walla Walla Statesman
Walla Walla W.T.: R.R. and S.G. Rees
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Gen Sherman on Negro Suffrage
Reconstruction (U.S. history, 1865-1877)
U.S. Army General William Tecumseh Sherman, an active and successful Civil War military leader, is here quoted as doubtful that freed black slaves have the ability to exercise the franchise. He also suggests that a system of labor be established in the south, to compensate the former slaves, but assure the harvesting of crops and - therefore - the reconstruction of the southern economy.
Gen Sherman
Walla Walla Statesman
Walla Walla W.T.: R.R. and S.G. Rees
Speech in Chicago
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National Debt a Great Blessing
Reconstruction (U.S. history, 1865-1877)
The Walla Walla Statesman publishes one in a series of protests against the postwar economic investment by the wealthy in government bonds, to be paid off by workingclass taxpayers. During the war itself, most Democrats - including the Statesman editor - protested the war's huge cost and its bankrolling with paper money, or greenbacks.
TaxPayer
Walla Walla Statesman
Walla Walla W.T.: R.R. and S.G. Rees
article
Democrats Win in Idaho
Democratic Party (U.S.)
The Democratic editor of the Walla Walla Statesman reports that the Democratic Party has won handily in Idaho Territory elections. Specifically, he notes that Idaho Democrats endorse their party as "sound on the negro issue," in other words, opposed to black political, economic and social equality.
Walla Walla Statesman
Walla Walla W.T.: R.R. and S.G. Rees
1865-08-21
Argus
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DeWitt Smith Dies
Politics and government
The Walla Walla Statesman reports the sudden death of Idaho Territory governor Clinton DeWitt Smith. Smith is said to have died of "rheumatism of the heart," acquired from exposure to the elements during a camping trip.
Walla Walla Statesman
Walla Walla W.T.: R.R. and S.G. Rees
atlas
War Between Republicans
Republican Party (U.S. : 1854- )
After the war, the Union Party - composed of Republicans and of war Democrats - divided sharply over the amendments to the U.S. Constitution that instituted black citizenship and the black male franchise, and against the legal, political, economic and social equality the amendments represented. The Union Party became divided about race, and Democrats like the editor of the Walla Walla Statesman rejoiced.
Walla Walla Statesman
Walla Walla W.T.: R.R. and S.G. Rees
article
New Constitution of Missouri
Reconstruction (U.S. history, 1865-1877)
The Walla Walla Statesman continues to report the unfolding Reconstruction of the United States following the Civil War. Readers were interested in many developments, including this new Missouri constitution, reported to be fraudulently foisted on the people of Missouri. Clearly, the editorial comment assumes a radical Republican, "carpetbagger" influence in that state, and condemns many of the constitutional elements. The O.A.K. referred to is the Order of American Knights; it is interesting to see the Knights of the Golden Circle mentioned.
Walla Walla Statesman
Walla Walla W.T.: R.R. and S.G. Rees
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Casualties
Reconstruction (U.S. history, 1865-1877)
As the war ends, Democratic opponents of the Lincoln administration and its conduct during the war, reported the enormous costs of the Civil War in men, wealth and lost opportunities.
Walla Walla Statesman
Walla Walla W.T.: R.R. and S.G. Rees
War Department
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Probably Extinction of the Negro Race
Black race
The New York World writer attempts to prove that case that emancipation will bring pestilence, starvation and gradual extermination to the black race in the United States. Arguing that "a state of freedom checks the growth of the negro population," the writer marshals statistics and observation to make his point. For instance, he blames the mixed race black - the mulatto - on the licentiousness of the black race, rather than even mentioning the role of whites. This is an expression of the strong racism that opposed emancipation and black equality.
Walla Walla Statesman
Walla Walla W.T.: R.R. and S.G. Rees
New World
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