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Editorial
September 25, 1866
Grant County Herald
Lancaster, Grant County, Wisconsin
What is this article about?
This editorial satirically criticizes Andrew Johnson's political inconsistencies, portraying his shifts from supporting secessionist John C. Breckinridge in 1860, to aiding Union suppression of rebellion, and back to pro-Southern reconstruction policies without constitutional authority, as completing a full 'circle' in six years.
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Full Text
Round that Circle.
In almost every speech Mr. Johnson talks about having helped to whip traitors on the South side of the circle, and now he is doing the same thing for the traitors on the North side of the circle.
That Mr. Johnson is familiar with the circle there is no doubt. In 1860 he urged the claims of and voted for John C. Breckinridge. He sustained the policy of Mr. Breckinridge, which was well understood throughout the South to be the secession policy. He then, by some motive that is more easily suspected than proved, deserted the Breckinridge policy, and whipped clear ground to the opposite side of the circle, and did what he could in suppressing secession. He remained steadfast on this side of the circle, insisting that the rebel State governments were dead, that traitors should occupy back seats, and that treason should be made odious, until he began the work of reconstruction without any constitutional authority, when he commenced a backward movement on his orbit. He steadily moved on to the Southern side of the circle until his rupture with Congress when he found himself entirely in the arch where he figured in 1860.
So much for his "circle." He has made two revolutions in six years, and where he will be after the fall elections we cannot say.
In almost every speech Mr. Johnson talks about having helped to whip traitors on the South side of the circle, and now he is doing the same thing for the traitors on the North side of the circle.
That Mr. Johnson is familiar with the circle there is no doubt. In 1860 he urged the claims of and voted for John C. Breckinridge. He sustained the policy of Mr. Breckinridge, which was well understood throughout the South to be the secession policy. He then, by some motive that is more easily suspected than proved, deserted the Breckinridge policy, and whipped clear ground to the opposite side of the circle, and did what he could in suppressing secession. He remained steadfast on this side of the circle, insisting that the rebel State governments were dead, that traitors should occupy back seats, and that treason should be made odious, until he began the work of reconstruction without any constitutional authority, when he commenced a backward movement on his orbit. He steadily moved on to the Southern side of the circle until his rupture with Congress when he found himself entirely in the arch where he figured in 1860.
So much for his "circle." He has made two revolutions in six years, and where he will be after the fall elections we cannot say.
What sub-type of article is it?
Partisan Politics
Constitutional
What keywords are associated?
Andrew Johnson
Political Circle
Secession Policy
Reconstruction
Breckinridge
Treason
Congress Rupture
What entities or persons were involved?
Mr. Johnson
John C. Breckinridge
Congress
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Andrew Johnson's Political Reversals On Secession And Reconstruction
Stance / Tone
Satirical Criticism Of Johnson's Inconsistencies
Key Figures
Mr. Johnson
John C. Breckinridge
Congress
Key Arguments
Johnson Supported Secessionist Breckinridge In 1860
He Later Suppressed Secession After Shifting Sides
Johnson Insisted Rebel Governments Were Dead And Treason Odious
He Pursued Reconstruction Without Constitutional Authority
His Policies Circled Back To Pro Southern Stance After Rupture With Congress
Two Political Revolutions In Six Years