White Trash
Southern Gothic
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« on: May 18, 2016, 11:08:45 AM » |
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This thread got me really curious about the actual platforms and voting records of the early Republicans. In looking at the platform of 1856 and 1860 we see support for the use of federal funds for the establishment of a pacific railroad as well as the improvement of rivers and harbors. The 1860 platform specifically states:
"15. That appropriations by Congress for river and harbor improvements of a national character, required for the accommodation and security of an existing commerce, are authorized by the Constitution, and justified by the obligation of Government to protect the lives and property of its citizens.
16. That a railroad to the Pacific Ocean is imperatively demanded by the interests of the whole country; that the federal government ought to render immediate and efficient aid in its construction; and that, as preliminary thereto, a daily overland mail should be promptly established."
Now this sounds remarkably similar to the demands for "internal improvements" of the Whigs. The desire to use federal funding, with congressional approval, to support local and municipal infrastructure. One could argue that this is a very "liberal" policy as it would require greater federal expenditure. Using public funds to build up public infrastructure isn't the most laissez-faire or "free market" strategy.
Beyond this, the Republicans in the Congress overwhelmingly supported the Revenue Acts of 1861 and 1862, which established a crude form of income tax. The Republicans again supported raising these taxes in 1864. Lincoln himself gave no indication that he supported the eventual lowering of the taxes, and they weren't lowered until 1872, after the Democrats made serious gains in 1870.
Given all this, I think its hard to put the Fremont-Lincoln-Grant Republican party on the right side of the economic spectrum.
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