New in PJ Media:
Is America heading toward a civil war? The chasm between patriotic Americans and the Left is certainly growing all the time and shows no signs of healing. The just-concluded controversy over who would become speaker of the House contained two telling indications that the nation might be heading toward a new civil conflict or at the very least that political tensions have not been this high since the run-up to secession and the attack on Fort Sumter.
The first was the protracted battle for the speakership itself. As PJM’s Chris Queen detailed on Thursday, the multiple balloting and hot tempers surrounding the ultimate election of Kevin McCarthy to the speaker’s chair recalled the two-month fight over the speakership in 1855. The endless conflict revolved around the fact that neither pro-slavery nor anti-slavery forces would accept a speaker from the other camp, and neither had the votes to enforce its will. As Chris noted, the New York Tribune declared: “This is not a mere contest as to a Speaker of the House; it is but an incident in a long and arduous struggle which is to determine whether slavery will be the pole star of our National career.”
Ultimately a speaker was chosen, an abolitionist named Nathaniel Banks, and after all that he lasted only thirteen months in the speaker’s chair. (It will be interesting to see if Kevin McCarthy lasts that long.) But neither Banks nor anyone else managed to heal the deep divisions in American society, and the Civil War came half a decade after the speaker’s fight, which was a kind of legislative prelude to the conflict that was to come.
During the speaker’s fight we just went through, as the balloting went on, tempers flared. Victoria Taft reported Saturday that “at one point, [Rep. Matt] Gaetz [R-Fla.] and Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) ‘nearly came to blows… as frustrations exploded on Friday night in the House of Representatives, with the 14th ballot for speaker leaving Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) one vote short,’ according to The Washington Examiner.”
There was no fight on the House floor this time, but the nation came closer to seeing one than at any time since May 1856, Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts delivered a lengthy speech (it took him two days) entitled “The Crime against Kansas.” In it, he resorted to lurid imagery to make his case, saying: “Not in any common lust for power did this uncommon tragedy have its origin. It is the rape of a virgin Territory, compelling it to the hateful embrace of Slavery; and it may be clearly traced to a depraved longing for a new slave State, the hideous offspring of such a crime, in the hope of adding to the power of Slavery in the National Government.”
There is more. Read the rest here.
Jim J Fox says
What was the bone of contention in the election of the Speaker?
milo minderbinder says
Jim J Fox,
“Complete List of the Key Concessions McCarthy Reportedly Gave to Conservatives in the House to Win the Speakership”
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2023/01/complete-list-key-concessions-mccarthy-reportedly-gave-conservatives-house-win-speakership/
Frankly, I’m not optimistic that this Congress will make “any” significant changes. Why isn’t there any concern for the people who are still in jail for the so-called January 6, 2021 insurrection and why did it take 15 rounds to get these concessions?
Westman says
There was another, post Industrial Revolution time of flirting with the notion of rebellion and communism during the Great Depression. It was purposely mitigated by introducing socialism and “stumbling” into WW2.
Contrary to the declaration of war, the, “Whereas the Imperial Government of Japan has committed unprovoked acts..”, Japan was under US embargoes and sanctions, particularly in critical fuels and other non-native resources. Roosevelt was also keen on indirectly providing war material to fight Germany, much as the current administration is keen on supplying weapons to Ukraine.
A most unified US citizenry exited WW2, perhaps more unified than any other time in its history.
History seems to be rhyming. The US has a post-WW2 history of involvements in conflicts with first, supplies, second, support and training personnel, and third, eventually entering into direct combat.
Today there is talk of US Civil War. Yet, the opportunity to create unity among American citizens by direct war with Russia exists in the background and War Chickenhawks exist all over US government.
Civil War won’t be averted by socialism, as Socialism v1.0 already exists. Will we “stumble” into WW3 (with a little help), which will unify the US citizens, and hand world leadership to China as the US and Russian economies, and likely, cities, are lying in ruins?
Is Civil War more likely?
࿗Infidel࿘ says
I will adapt a wait & see attitude. I do think it’s strange that McCarthy was so desperate to become speaker that he took 15 rounds, rather than concede at round 3 or 4. It is somewhat locking the stable doors after ?, since the outgoing house had already signed off on the $17T bill that had 20 GOP senate defectors. Yeah, they can hold all the investigations that they wish, but the Dems have already won all the ? that they want for at least the next 2 years