William Marvel Full Court Press

Sixteen decades ago, all federal agencies were dominated by the Republican Party, and were mobilized to keep that party in power. Partisan appropriation of government resources reflected a common corruption (then, as now), but most historians have overlooked how extensively Abraham Lincoln's administration engaged in it. It can take that long for passions to subside enough to consider an unpleasant truth.

My latest historical endeavor involves this government project to demonize the loyal opposition, which culminated in the presidential election of 1864. More than three years into the Civil War, the Union cause was faltering. Confederates had enjoyed an astounding improvement in their prospects that spring, and although outnumbered everywhere they still resisted stubbornly in all major theaters during the bloodiest year of the war. Even some of Lincoln's erstwhile supporters were discouraged by the mounting butcher's bill. Eleven weeks before the election, Lincoln asked his cabinet to endorse a document in which he admitted that his reelection seemed unlikely.