Electing History, Voting Day 1864

[JPK Huson 1863]

Harper's and Leslie's did wonderful spreads on the 1864 election, giving us an historic bird's eye view. The soldiers' vote was a huge topic- underlined by illustrations like this of a wounded vet helped to the polls by a vet from the war of 1812.

Remember Dad telling us Voting Day when he was growing up was a huge, big deal. Not only was it rare to find anyone who did not turn out, you dressed up to go to the polls- casting your ballot was this sacred right, creating a holiday atmosphere punctuated by fistfights here and there. No one ever, ever spoke of their vote, either- unthinkable, it was off limits even between married couples. This was your vote.

Too long to get into, Lincoln ran against Little Mac, with Andrew Johnson instead of his sitting VP for reasons no one can agree on into 2018. LoC

Awfully interesting tooling around the election of 1864 and not as big a snore as you'd think! Ran into a ton of discussion in the era on voting- seems to have been regarded a jealously guarded right, zealously pursued. A ton of discussion on women's votes as well as several bruahahas over the black population casting ballots.

Rest of article is a typical, political rant- someone's mother wears army boots, etc. etc. etc. But. The 1864 sentiment is awfully clear. Vote. You're an American.

Most common articles in newspapers, at least, were soldiers voting. How, where, who they were most likely to vote for and how measures were taken ensuring every vote from the most distant camp was counted. Cool stuff and reading of November 8th, 1864 a kind of joy. We loved Voting Day, double voters, fist fights and rigged booths notwithstanding. Few of those.

Voting in camp- rats, forget who the officers are. Sheridan, I think and a few other familiar names.

Disabled veterans of the war still raging in 1864 were brought to the polls, and in all precincts- this was from a scene the artist observed in NYC. Cool stuff- we sure voted.

Both parties ensured votes by men in far-off camps were preserved despite ( well, because of ) an entire war. It'll turn into a big, political yawn presenting both platforms- we know the results and easy enough to look into. The day itself, as we respected and counted each, precious slip of paper reflected how seriously we took responsibilities given us not many decades before.

Must look into this- various accounts of fraud, preventing men from voting and er, losing ballots somewhere between camp and Washington, DC. Also some hysterical double voting.

Voted twice because he'd been married twice? You have to love the odd kick in some gallops, no?

Really do not mean to rely so much on illustrations but these ' bird's eye ' views of Voting Day can't be beat- the actual ballots cast in glass globes, delivered under guard to be counted.

5 Points, New York, the polls!

Collected and solemnly delivered- history cast.

" Silent resolve of a great nation is put into motion ". So we voted.

There is of course a lot more- easy enough to look up but the point was, we got out, turned out, limped, walked, hitched rides and voted.

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

Unsure what this is- campaign badge? Does anyone know, please?

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

So voter results seem to have posted as they came in, from upper floors of a building- you just know we cast our votes and joined these crowds.

 

[donna]

Such great illustrations. So appropriate with tomorrow being election day.

 

[BlueandGrayl]

It's debated by historians regarding election of 1864 regarding if McClellan won had say Atlanta not fallen to Sherman some believe that if McClellan had won the presidency he would have followed the Democratic Party's platform of peace and thus de facto allow Confederate independence while others think that even if McClellan won he would continued prosecution of the war.

I belong in the latter because McClellan would have chosen fighting the war as he made it clear unlike the Copperhead majority Democrats under Clement Vallandigham.

Cool thread by the way.

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

It's debated by historians

Yesterday is probably being debated by historians. Sorry, no snark intended. Arguing I mean debating about everything occurring before midnight from Day 1 ( including Day 1 ) seems an occupational hazard.

Oh goodness, browsing era papers on Mac V. Lincoln, there's a huge emphasis on your point. Pro-McClellan sentiments included a surety he'd come to the table, accusing Lincoln of everything from slaughtering women ( not specified who ) to plotting the end of civilization. Weirdly, can't find a thing about McClellan's position on ending slavery. He did appear to walk on water, maybe because he displaced so little of it.