Abraham Lincoln—to Love or to Hate?: The Opposing Political Views of William H. Miner and his Father
- Alysha Kuhn
- 11 minutes ago
- 6 min read
On April 16, 1863, Luther Miner wrote in a letter to his brother, Charles, “I am Sorry to tell you that Brother Henry [William Henry Miner Sr.] is about as near a CopperHead as he can be…” For brothers Charles and Luther, who were both soldiers in the Union Army, news that their brother did not support the cause they were fighting for was disappointing. Although Henry grew up in the North, he did not fully support the Northern cause. Lack of support for the war was a belief held by many Northern Democrats during the American Civil War. Although many Northern Democrats wanted to keep their nation together, many felt sympathy for the South.
An Address to the People by the Democracy of Wisconsin is an important Democratic work that reveals the thoughts and views of midwestern Democrats before the Emancipation Proclamation was released. Primarily authored by Edward George Ryan, the address was nicknamed “Ryan’s Address” or more commonly, the “Copperhead Bible.” Ryan’s Address laid the foundations of what Northern Democrats’ position in the war was. However, it is important to note that the Address was released on September 3rd 1862, before the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation was released. The Emancipation Proclamation was an important political move by Lincoln that most likely changed the opinions of Northern Democrats towards Lincoln.
In fact the address explains how Democrats supported the war and that they, “reprobate that revolt, as unnecessary, unjustifiable, unholy. But we affirm that the revolt and consequent civil war were a long foretold and probably result of the accession to power of a sectional party, because their success was the defeat of the spirit of the Constitution.” Although the Democrats believed rebellion was unnecessary, they also believed that the Republicans’ success in the election was unconstitutional. The fact that the party leading the country was unconstitutional is why the South seceded, according to Edward G. Ryan. Thus, the “Copperhead Bible” both justified and criticized the secession of the South from the Union.
The address even stated how the Democrats were not opposed to Abraham Lincoln, writing, “We have no personal objection to the distinguished gentleman who now sits in the seat of Washington. The evil of his election belongs to his party, not himself.” The address goes on to tell how the Democrats commend Lincoln for his ability to make compromises and preserve slavery. The Democrats pinpoint slavery as the beginning of the conflict between the parties, “The slavery of the African race formed from the beginning the most important and dangerous of these differences…The Constitution was a compact of compromises and in no instance more wisely or generously so, than in relation to the institution of slavery.” However, the address goes on to explain how “fanaticism” from both sides led to a fissure of these compromises made in the Constitution. When these compromises were broken, everything began to stop working and the nation broke down into war.
The Democrats believed that Emancipation would further break down the nation into factions and worsen the war. Therefore, Democrats’ opinion on Lincoln must have changed after the release of the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation on September 22nd, 1862. One can get an idea of the feelings of these Democrats from letters between Henry’s brothers discussing Henry and from letters written by Henry himself to his family. Luther Miner spoke to this point when he wrote to his brother Charles, “Just as quick as our noble president touched the niggar just so soon he touched the tender spot in the CopperHeads Heart. They are ten times worse than the Secesh.” Although Democrats were unhappy with the administration in place, they did not seem to bother other citizens such as Luther, yet, when the Emancipation Proclamation was released, things began to change.
In several letters to his family back home, Henry discussed his political views on the war. Henry could tell early on that the war was about slavery. On September 25th 1861, Henry wrote, “O when this War ceas [sic]. Shall this once Blessed Nation be toorn [sic] to attoms [sic] for the Negro.” Henry did not support the war from the beginning because, unlike most other Northerners of the time, Henry recognized that the war was a fight over whether or not slavery should be legal. It is clear in this letter that Henry is a staunch Democrat. However, his political views become more obvious in later letters.
On July 25, 1863, Henry wrote to his parents that he was convinced by his “Democratic friends” to become a judge for the county. The fact that his “Democratic friends” convinced Henry to become a judge goes to show how outspoken Henry must have been about his political beliefs. Although he does not mention his views often in letters, he must have said more about his political views in person which is what got him a position as a judge.
Although Henry did not always discuss his political views in his letters, it was obvious that he did not support the war. On July 25, 1863 Henry wrote, “I have not gone to fight to free the negro yet and when I do go I shall have to be drafted.” Although two of his brothers proudly fought for the Union, Henry was proud to not fight. Henry believed that the war was “uncalled for.” In July 1864 it is clear how badly Henry wanted the war to be over when he mentioned that “There is a call from Old Abe for 500,000 more men to let the South kill.” Here, it is obvious that Henry did not believe that the draft was worth the men. Henry went on to discuss how he hoped that the war would be over by the fall because he thought “that then has been Blood Enoughf [sic] spilt all ready for Mr L[incoln] and the Negro.” It is clear that not only does Henry want the war to be over, but that Henry does not like Lincoln.
In juxtaposition to William H. Miner Sr. 's dislike of Abraham Lincoln is William H. Miner Jr.’s adoration for Abraham Lincoln. William Miner was “a lifelong Republican, who revered Abraham Lincoln.” This adoration is revealed through William Miner’s collection at the Alice T. Miner Colonial Collection of Abraham Lincoln newspaper clippings, portraits, letters, and other goods claimed to have been owned by Abraham Lincoln. Additionally, William Miner collected several photographs and newspaper clippings that related to the Civil War. This raises many questions as to why William Miner collected these goods. Was it nostalgia? Was it a fascination with his fathers political views? Or was the collection just a way for William Miner to connect with his childhood back in Wisconsin, before he came to Chazy. It is unclear why William Miner collected so many artifacts that relate to the Civil War. Yet, it is interesting to compare the political views of William H. Miner Sr. and William H. Miner Jr. since their views differed so immensely.
One can get an excellent idea of William Miner’s political views from his correspondence with President Warren G. Harding—a popular leader of the Republican party. In these letters it is clear that William Miner was a strong supporter of Harding, always praising Harding, and even comparing him to President Lincoln. On July 5, 1922, William Miner wrote to President Harding, “Very few men can live in the atmosphere of Washington…and yet maintain the same rugged honesty of purpose and sanity which made Abraham Lincoln forever beloved and I am proud to find that we have in you, Mr. President, just that Lincoln type of man.” Not only is Miner’s admiration for President Harding clear, but also Miner’s admiration for Lincoln. William Miner makes it clear in this letter that Lincoln was an extremely admirable leader whose legacy carried into contemporary times.
William Miner was also a strong supporter of laissez-faire. Laissez-faire is a policy commonly found in the Republican party which supported a “hands-off” government where the government would not interfere with business affairs. Joseph C. Burke, author of William H. Miner’s biography, wrote, “William Miner’s brand of individualism seemed tailor made for the philosophy preached by Herbert Hoover in 1922 of powerful individuals and passive government.” Herbert Hoover, a Republican president, was a strong supporter of laissez-faire and although would become a strongly disliked president, won the respect of William Miner. Just like with President Harding, Miner would have correspondence with Harding’s successors, Coolidge and Hoover, both of which were also Republicans.
Although William H. Miner’s father was a staunch Democrat, his son would one day be a proud Republican who supported Abraham Lincoln, the man who William Miner Sr. openly disliked. The Civil War divided many families in the 1860s, and the effects of the war still lingered 50 years later. The Civil War continued to divide families politically long after the last shot was fired and peace was made.
Click here for additional materials
An Address to the People by the Democracy of Wisconsin, Full Text: https://archive.org/details/addresstopeopleb00demo/page/n3/mode/2up
Emancipation Proclamation, Full Text: https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/emancipation-proclamation
Ciccone, Mark. "Not Our Fight: The Roots and Forms of Anti-War Electoral Dissent in Civil War Wisconsin, 1860-1865." Master's thesis, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, May 2014. Not Our Fight: The Roots and Forms of Anti-War Electoral Dissent in Civil War Wisconsin, 1860-1865 - CORE Reader.
Comments