This Week in Reconstruction, July 23-31, 1868

This Week in Reconstruction, July 23-31, 1868

The carpet-baggers have lost all individuality and with it their souls. "Whenever any question is up, and a vote about being taken, the carpet-bag members are visited by the pages, who whisper (loud enough to be heard by others), 'The Speaker says vote aye,' or, 'The Speaker, says vote nay,' as the case may be." While this plan might work in theory, some carpet-baggers are rebelling against their ability to speak for themselves. In some instances, "the vote was taken, and to the great disgust of the hero of Big Bethel the carpet-baggers all voted against him, in spite of his nods and winks." This is a clear case of how poorly run the carpet-bag system is, and how it will never last if their own members are rebelling from inside.

July 23-31, 1868

Joshua Hurlburt

Hurlburt-Week-12