U.S. History Timeline: After Lincoln, Before Coolidge

Despite earnest and strenuous efforts to pacify anti-slavery and pro-slavery factions, the country drifted toward a civil war, when James Buchanan (15^th president) was Commander in Chief from 1857 to 1861. During his term, American abolitionist John Brown was hanged as an insurrectionist; and seven states united to form the Confederate States of America (Confederacy). The year following Lincoln's assassination, 1866, James Buchanan (Democrat), published an account of his presidency term. 3 years later he died, but not before setting his record straight. He tried to stop the war from happening!

Warren Gamaliel Harding (Republican), our 29^th president, would be born later that same year, November 2, 1865, in Blooming Grove, Ohio, the 17^th state admitted to the Union. It was Thursday.

Below is an accounting of the whereabouts of the 17^th to the 28^th presidents in 1865. They all have very ironclad alibis. Not that they knew in advance that they'd be needing them.

Working backwards: the 28^th, 27^th, and 26^th presidents:

(Thomas) Woodrow Wilson (Democrat), William Howard Taft and Theodore Roosevelt (Republicans) – were 9, 8, and 7 years old, respectively.

35 years later in 1900, Roosevelt would be elected as a vice-president and before the end of 1901 would take over the duties as the nation's leader.

Our 25^th president, William McKinley, was unfortunately the 3^rd POTUS to fall victim to an assassin's bullet.  An anarchist, Leon Czolgosz, shot him at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. (Sure! He gave reasons. But who cares? He gunned down an innocent unarmed human being and for that he was electrocuted.)  If only McKinley could have predicted his future. In 1865, he had not even embarked upon a career in politics. He was studying law. He didn't become a politician until a little over a decade later: first serving in Congress, then as a governor, and finally as POTUS, 1897 – 1901.

Our 23^rd president, Benjamin Harrison (Republican) was the grandson of our 9^th president, William Henry Harrison (Whig). Grandpa will be remembered for his military accomplishments and negotiations with Native Americans to open up certain territories for white settlers. Master Benjamin holds the dubious honor of being sandwiched between two Democratic administrations. Grover Cleveland (Democrat) served as 22^nd POTUS; graciously lost the election for a second term to Harrison; and got himself elected again as the 24^th POTUS. Thus far, he is the only president to ever serve two non-consecutive terms. For the record, Harrison's presidential race is marred as a corrupt campaign because he was elected regardless of the fact the he had fewer popular votes than Cleveland.

Getting back on topic. Harrison actively soldiered during the Civil War which had begun in 1861, and by 1865, he had risen to the rank of brigadier general. Grover Cleveland was Assistant District Attorney of Erie County, New York.

What led up to the Giteau incident? Flashback! 10 years earlier, 1871, Arthur had been appointed collector for the Port of New York, but in 1878, he was removed by Rutherford B. Hayes (Republican), who was the 19^th president, at the time. Based on the results of an investigation for mismanagement and political patronage, Hayes thought it prudent. Other political party members, however, objected to Arthur's removal. So much so that it gave birth to the “Stalwarts”, a faction within the party who undoubtedly considered themselves the real true loyal Republicans. Fast forward to 1881, alleged pseudo-Republican Garfield is “removed” and Stalwart true-Republican Arthur is his legitimate replacement. Arthur never ran for president; and when he was president, he did not really distinguish himself as a strong leader of the free world (my opinion; his actions look more like back-tracking and damage clean-up). To think that another man had to lose his life … for what? Arthur suffered from kidney disease but kept his health condition private and died of a cerebral hemorrhage, the year after he concluded this term in the Oval Office.

In 1865, Hayes, President No. 19, though wounded several times in combat during the Civil War, had risen to the rank of major general, and was dutifully serving in the U.S. House of Representatives.

• From Lincoln to Arthur, Republicans had held the office of the Chief Executive. The “Stalwart” rift may have been the reason Cleveland, a Democrat, was “elected by the people”; officially twice, but unofficially thrice (three times).

Continuing to work our way back to the 16^th president. President No. 18, Ulysses S. Grant? On April 4, 1865, ten days before Lincoln was shot, Generals Robert E. Lee and Grant signed terms of Confederate surrender at Appomattox, Virginia.

Approximately, two and half weeks before the fatal shooting of Abraham Lincoln, President No. 17, Andrew Johnson (Republican), as vice-president had issued the Amnesty Proclamation. The Proclamation granted full pardon to all Confederates (with certain exceptions). Johnson took the Oath of Office on April 15, 1865. The Thirteenth Amendment providing that “neither slavery nor involuntary servitude” will exist in the United States was also proclaimed that year. On this most appropriate final note, the article is concluded.

Lincoln & JFK Conspiracy Theory?

• How About Garfield & McKinley?

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