Take President Grant, for instance. He was pretty much a racist through and through. Of course, back in his day many folks had leanings in that direction. Grant just took it a bit farther than most would have, but he was the President and figured he had the right to do as he wished. Sound a little familiar?
Ulysses S. Grant
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
You’re going to find a common thread on this list, and it’s racism. For Ulysses S. Grant, that hatred came in the form of an attempt to deport all of the 4 million freed black slaves. He had a plan, y’all – because even though he was instrumental in freeing said slaves, he wasn’t quite so sure he wanted them integrated into American society. So he convinced Senate leader Charles Sumner that his idea to buy the Dominican Republic (Santo Domingo) and send the freed slaves away there was worth pursuing.
It didn’t end up working out (obviously) because Sumner pulled his support and the treaty that would have allowed the purchase (annex) to go through failed at the last minute. Obviously.
Oh, and there’s also the fact that he’s the only president to pass anti-Semitic legislation. He felt (for some unexplainable reason) that the Jews were behind a cotton smuggling ring and banned them from living in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Mississippi.
Not exactly a nice way for a President to act, is it? I'm sure that there were others in politics that had some ghost in the closet just as bad, but when you are the president...you should try and set a good example, know what I mean?
Coffee out on the patio this morning. They say the rain is gone for now!
Wow, that is something i have not heard or read about Grant. Yes, as President of the United States you should be setting an example for the Country and not let your personal feelings dictate your actions. Have a great weekend. I'll bring a Racine Kringle for all of us to share.
ReplyDeleteLincoln had the same beliefs.
ReplyDeleteYou can search the actual words in some of his letters on his idea of sending the slaves back to Africa.
Wonder when the 'thought police' will be removing his statue from the DC memorial once it becomes general knowledge.
1984 2.0?
I would venture to say that almost ALL the presidents had something they kept secret, or wanted to. It's just that today there is no privacy for those in the public eye and the press thinks it has to spread whatever rumors and innuendos there are out there. Sometimes it's better not to know.
ReplyDeleteHey Linda...
ReplyDeleteGrant wasn't the only one who felt that way and sure wasn't the first. The scary part is that he figured he actually had the power to pull it off.
Thanks for stopping by today!
Hey Joetentpeg...
I reckon his statue is safe for now, as they seem to be concentrating on the south for the time being. I had read somewhere that Lincoln had the same thoughts and plans.
Thanks for the visit this morning!
Hey Momlady...
I reckon all of us have some sort of secret that we would rather keep quiet...politicians especially.
Thanks for coming over today!
Another lesson learned here at the Hermit's. Just can't beat the ugly in politics.
ReplyDeleteCoffee on the patio sounds good. We had some bad weather on the east side yesterday up rooted lots of trees and destroyed buildings they call them micro bursts.
It is sad that the president of this great country could not just silently think these thoughts but actually act on them. Then there is the opposite side of the coin when certain said presidents try genuinely good or "proper and right" acts and not only can't get anywhere with them but have them repressed or buried. That is until someone more prominent or popular takes the same idea and runs with it. Linda, what is a Racine Kringle? Sounds like o do-nut. Love you, Bubba.
ReplyDeleteRacist or not, his plan for the blacks would have saved this nation a lot of expense and trouble in the long run. Of course I'LL be called racist for saying that.
ReplyDelete