This Week in Reconstruction, January 9-15, 1870

This Week in Reconstruction, January 9-15, 1870

Congress deliberates whether Virginia should be allowed back into the Union with or without further Reconstruction sanctions. On January 11, the entire third page was dedicated to the proceedings in the House and the Senate. The proceedings revealed the power struggles and controversy surrounding the admission of Virginia. A voting discrepancy on the admission led to lengthy debates on the respective rights of senators and representatives. On January 12, an explanation was given for the tension between the Republican and Democratic, and the pro-admission and anti-admission, members of Congress. On January 13, it became apparent that it was only a matter of days before Virginia would be voted back into the Union. It was also apparent, however, that there would be a fight until the end, as the very next day there were more proceedings that detailed a rather nasty exchange between Senators Sumner and Trumbull. It was a last ditch effort by Sumner to impose further sanctions on Virginia, but by the end of the week, the vote to admit Virginia unconditionally was passed. Once Virginia was admitted, an article proclaimed that the South would rise up once again and become even more powerful and profitable than the North. White Virginians could not bring back slavery, but they refused to express regret for slavery.

January 9-15, 1870

Charles Simmonds

Simmonds-Week-2