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Editorial
April 3, 1869
American Citizen
Canton, Madison County, Mississippi
What is this article about?
The editorial, quoting the New York Express, criticizes the heavy military influence in the U.S. government during Reconstruction, listing a 'Military President,' Sherman's control over War Department bureaus, military rule in Southern states, and warns of despotism eroding constitutional principles. (248 characters)
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Full Text
"The Man on Horseback."
The New York Express furnishes this pleasant picture:
The present military complexion of things are not a pleasant contemplation for a Republic. It is:
1st. A Military President.
2d. A Military family with the President.
3d. A Military Executive Mansion.
4th. A Military Guard around the White House.
5th. Then comes Gen. Sherman in command of the U. S. Armies, and announces to the country the members of his staff. And who are they? Who but men controlling the head of every bureau attached to the War Department, and completely swallowing up the whole Department. The Adjutant-General, Inspector-General, Quartermaster-General, Commissary-General, Surgeon-General, Paymaster-General, Judge Advocate General, Chief of Engineers, and the Chief of Ordnance, all heretofore the subordinates of the Secretary of War, are now declared to be but the Staff Officers of the General Commanding the Army.
6th. A Military Secretary of War, with military sympathies all round.
7th. Ten States under Military rule.
8th. Georgia out in the cold.
Ditto Louisiana, ditto Virginia, Texas and Mississippi.
9th. Arkansas under scalawag Militia and North Carolina under Negro Militia.
If this is Reconstruction, it is a failure. If it is Republicanism, it is a greater failure—but if it is Military Despotism, then we can understand it. We but discharge a simple duty to our countrymen when we entreat them to watch, and as far as they can, arrest these innovations upon the Constitution of the country and the examples of the fathers.
The New York Express furnishes this pleasant picture:
The present military complexion of things are not a pleasant contemplation for a Republic. It is:
1st. A Military President.
2d. A Military family with the President.
3d. A Military Executive Mansion.
4th. A Military Guard around the White House.
5th. Then comes Gen. Sherman in command of the U. S. Armies, and announces to the country the members of his staff. And who are they? Who but men controlling the head of every bureau attached to the War Department, and completely swallowing up the whole Department. The Adjutant-General, Inspector-General, Quartermaster-General, Commissary-General, Surgeon-General, Paymaster-General, Judge Advocate General, Chief of Engineers, and the Chief of Ordnance, all heretofore the subordinates of the Secretary of War, are now declared to be but the Staff Officers of the General Commanding the Army.
6th. A Military Secretary of War, with military sympathies all round.
7th. Ten States under Military rule.
8th. Georgia out in the cold.
Ditto Louisiana, ditto Virginia, Texas and Mississippi.
9th. Arkansas under scalawag Militia and North Carolina under Negro Militia.
If this is Reconstruction, it is a failure. If it is Republicanism, it is a greater failure—but if it is Military Despotism, then we can understand it. We but discharge a simple duty to our countrymen when we entreat them to watch, and as far as they can, arrest these innovations upon the Constitution of the country and the examples of the fathers.
What sub-type of article is it?
Constitutional
Military Affairs
Partisan Politics
What keywords are associated?
Military Despotism
Reconstruction Failure
Constitutional Innovations
War Department Control
Military Rule States
What entities or persons were involved?
Gen. Sherman
Military President
Secretary Of War
U. S. Armies
New York Express
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Criticism Of Military Dominance In Reconstruction
Stance / Tone
Strongly Critical Of Military Despotism
Key Figures
Gen. Sherman
Military President
Secretary Of War
U. S. Armies
New York Express
Key Arguments
Military President In Office
Military Family With The President
Military Executive Mansion
Military Guard Around The White House
Gen. Sherman Commands U. S. Armies With Staff Controlling War Department Bureaus
Military Secretary Of War With Military Sympathies
Ten States Under Military Rule
Georgia, Louisiana, Virginia, Texas, And Mississippi Excluded
Arkansas Under Scalawag Militia
North Carolina Under Negro Militia
Reconstruction Is A Failure If Not Military Despotism
Entreat Countrymen To Watch And Arrest Innovations Upon The Constitution