The 1873 recession wearing thin on Northern Democrats, with unemployment high and currency scarce, Democrats were more concerned with their own financial well-being than in securing rights of freed men (former slaves), or re-admitting secessionist states.

The essence of events is evident, after Democrats capitalized on these depression conditions and took control of the House of Representatives in 1874, Reconstruction efforts stalled. Civil Rights Act of 1875 passed, without any relief or substance for former slaves, freed after Senate action in 1865.

1876 Samuel J. Tilden and Rutherford B Hayes both claim victory (with Tilden having 250,000 majority popular votes) in the presidential election.

1877 Congress passes Electoral Count Act. Enraged northern Democrats agreed to abandon the constitutional Electoral College and accept the vote of a congressional electoral commission comprised of 5 Representatives and 5 Senators and 5 Supreme Court Justices, with one independent, the group made up of 7 Democrats and 7 Republicans and the independent. The Democrats agreed not to block Hayes from becoming President. The 1877 compromise allowed northern majority Democrats control, (with South Carolina, Louisiana and Florida), these Republican states were handed over to give total control of every southern state to the Democrats.

Republican President Hayes’ first action was to remove federal troops from States, government capitols in 1877. (Middle 20th century young voters turned the tide to oust Democrats and return the South to the Republican party.)

With control of the House in 1874 and the 1877 compromise, gaining political control of the South by the Democrat party should assure voters that control is the Democrats’ watchword. If these acts aren’t enough to convince voters of their desire for power and control — just re-think their actions toward legally elected President Donald Trump. If by some chance the Democrats gain control of the House, or if the Democrats fail to gain control of the House — their agenda remains the same.

Tom Rogers

Moultrie, Ga.