Lot 771

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Description:

BRADLEY T. JOHNSON AND THE DESTRUCTION OF THE 1860 DEMOCRATIC PARTY
(1829 - 1903) Confederate brigadier general who served in Jackson's Valley campaign and during the Seven Days. He also burned Chambersburg, Pa. under orders by Jubal Early. Johnson's earlier involvement in secessionist politics almost overshadows his service as a military man. The future Confederate general was chairman of the Maryland Democratic State committee before the war. He was selected as a delegate to the Charleston Democratic National Convention in 1860. The Convention met on April 23, 1860 (the day our first letter is dated) at South Carolina Institute Hall, Charleston, but was soon split between Northern and Southern delegates over the pro-slavery platform urged by the Southern delegates. In protest of the split, Johnson and his Southern colleagues walked out of the Convention and reconvened at St. Andrews Hall to await some conciliatory action from the delegates left behind. It was not to be, so Johnson and his fellow protesters returned to their respective states. Tensions ran high in the party and Johnson resigned his position as a delegate rather than face humiliation at the hands of the opposing Convention members. Lot of two letters from Johnson to his wife detailing the politics, break-up of the convention, and his resignation, both with excellent political content. Johnson's first letter, 3pp. 4to., is written from Charleston, S. C., April 23, 1860 to his devoted wife Jane Claudia Saunders Johnson and was written the day the Convention convened. The impending party split is already apparent to Johnson as he writes, in part: "...found the room Mrs. Johnson had engaged for me…the house very delightful a very pleasant set of young people...South Carolinians & Floridians. I am by myself…I'd prefer someone with me…yet I consider that I have drawn a prize…the speculators have disastrously failed, as there are not a thousand people here & not a hotel is full. There are strong prospects for…a break up, but it may blow over. The Gulf states are raising the [?]. They called a meeting of the South on Saturday night & insisted upon breaking up the convention unless their demands were gratified. Virginia, No. Ca., Tenn. & Ky.& Mo.- were absent & Md. & La. refused to join them in any action whatever. What they will do remains to be seen. If they withdraw, Douglas will be nominated at once. The South will concentrate on one man [Robert M. T.] Hunter [Virginia delegation's choice for president], then try Breckinridge then some other Southern man…". After returning to Maryland, Johnson explains his actions to his wife and informs her that he is resigning as delegate in order to use his time more wisely. This second letter, 4pp. 8vo., is written from, Frederick, Md., May 26, 1860. In part: "…we are having a big fuss or preparing for one. I have written Miles of St. Mary's who charged me with inconsistency at Charleston requesting him to join me in resigning, also to Moreigone [?] my colleague. I find my course meets general approval all over the state & I shall be fully sustained besides we are taking steps to call the state convention together, to get a full expression of opinion from the whole state. We think we shall carry one point which is to place Maryland fully by the side of the South. I have just got a most extraordinary letter from Carter as to my course at Charleston. The Judge wrote me that he did not know what to do whether to come or not & told me to write him. I do not know what to say. I think Douglas will be nominated or break up the party & his nomination will break it up, so either way there are great difficulties ahead…I have made arrangements to devolve my duties as Chairman State Commitee. and [Joshua] Van Sant of Balt [and presidential elector on the Democratic ticket of John Breckinridge] who will relieve me of the trouble-work & expense & loss of time…". Both letters are in fine condition with stamped transmittal covers addressed: "Mrs. Bradley T. Johnson". The end result was two 1860 Democratic National Conventions - a pro-Southern and slavery convention in Charleston, and a pro-Union and Constitution convention held later in Baltimore. The result was a hopelessly fractured Democratic Party and the easy election of Lincoln as President...and a slippery slide towards civil war.

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September 27, 2012 11:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

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