The days before the Civil War caused much anxiety and created speculation among Americans about the nation’s future. In a letter to his mother, Stephen Higginson describes his opinion on the best course of action for the American government. He sees the “Constitution of ’89” as a “bad pro-Slavery” document. Rather than going through the slow process of amending it over time, he thinks “it is high time to have done such a Union.” At the end of his letter, Stephen tells his mother “you asked me some time ago to give you a dish of politics” which indicates that although restricted from formal engagement in politics, women often took a keen interest.
Higginson II, Stephen. Partial letter to Louisa Higginson from son regarding politics and slavery. January 4, 1861. Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, American Centuries. https://americancenturies.org/collection/l05-043/. Accessed on October 16, 2024.
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