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therefore, called "carpet-baggers."]
_Impeachment of the President._--The constantly-increasing hostility between the President and Congress
came to an issue when the former attempted to remove Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War. This being
considered a violation of the Tenure-of-Office bill, the impeachment of the President was at last ordered
(February 24, 1868). After a long and tedious trial he was acquitted, the two-thirds majority necessary for
Brief History of the United States 140
conviction lacking one vote.
The Fourteenth Amendment proposed by Congress, guaranteeing equal civil rights to all, regardless of race or
color, and basing representation in each State on the number of voters, was adopted July 28, 1868.
The Indian War along the Southwest having, in 1865-6, increased so as to demand active measures for its
suppression, General Sheridan was ordered thither. Black Kettle and a large body of his warriors being
surprised and slain by a charge of Custer's cavalry (1868) in the battle of the Wacheta (wah-che'-tah),
hostilities ceased.
_The French in Mexico._--While the United States were absorbed in the civil war, Napoleon III., emperor of
France, took advantage of the opportunity to secure a foothold in America. By the assistance of the French
army, the imperialists of Mexico defeated the liberals, and Maximilian, archduke of Austria, was chosen
emperor. The United States government protested against the measure, but was unable to enforce the "Monroe
doctrine." When the American people were relieved from the pressure of civil strife, they turned their
attention to the Mexicans hopelessly struggling for liberty, and the United States government demanded of
Napoleon the recall of the French troops. Maximilian, deprived of foreign aid, was defeated, and, falling into
the hands of the Mexican liberals, was shot June 19, 1867. This ended the dream of French dominion on this
continent.
Laying of the Atlantic Cable.--While these great political events were happening, science had achieved a
peaceful triumph whose importance far transcended the victories of diplomatic or military skill. A telegraphic
cable eighteen hundred and sixty-four miles in length had been laid from Valentia Bay, Ireland, to Heart's
Content, Newfoundland.
[Footnote: The success of this enterprise was due to the energy of Cyrus W. Field. In 1856, the line was
finished from New York to St. John's, Newfoundland, a distance of over one thousand miles. A company was
then formed with a capital of about $1,750,000. A cable was made, but in an attempt to lay it (August, 1857),
the cable parted. A second attempt, in June, 1858, failed after repeated trials. A third effort, in July was
successful. A message was sent from the Queen of England to the President, and a reply transmitted. A
celebration was held in New York in honor of the event, but on that very day (September 1) the cable ceased
to work. The time and money spent seemed a total loss. Mr. Field alone was undismayed. The company was
revived, $3,000,000 were subscribed, and a new cable was manufactured. In July, 1865, the Great Eastern
commenced laying this cable, but in mid-ocean it parted and sank to the bottom. Again Mr. Field went to
work, raised a new company with a capital of $3,000,000, and made a third cable. The Great Eastern sailed
with this in June, 1866, and successfully accomplished the feat. To make the triumph more complete, the
vessel sailed back to the very spot where the cable of 1865 had parted, and, dropping grappling-irons, caught
the lost cable, brought it to the surface, and, splicing it, laid the remaining portion. The two cables were found
to work admirably. A despatch has been sent across the ocean by a battery made in a gun-cap.]
[Illustration: THE GREAT EASTERN LAYING THE ATLANTIC CABLE]
The two continents were thus brought into almost instant communication.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS.--Purchase of Alaska (October, 1867).--Through the diplomacy of William H.
Seward, Secretary of State, Alaska was purchased of Russia for $7,200,000 in gold. It contains about 500,000
square miles, but is principally valuable for its harbors, furs, and fisheries.
Fenian Excitement.--The Fenians, a secret society organized for the purpose of delivering Ireland from
British rule, crossed the Canadian frontier at Buffalo, N. Y., and St. Albans, Vt., in large numbers. President
Johnson issued a proclamation declaring the movement a violation of our neutrality, and sent thither General
Meade to execute the laws. After some skirmishing with British troops, the expedition returned.
Brief History of the United States 141
Treaty with China (1868).--An embassy from the Chinese Empire, under charge of Anson Burlingame,
visited the United States.
[Footnote: Burlingame had been the United States minister to the Chinese government for six years. During
this time he had rendered himself so popular, that, at the end of his term of service, Prince Kung, the Chinese
Regent, requested him to go on this special mission to foreign courts. After visiting the United States, he went
to England, France, and Russia. He died at St. Petersburg within a month after his arrival there.]
It was an event of much importance, and the first of its kind in the history of that exclusive nation. A treaty
was perfected guaranteeing liberty of conscience to Americans in China, and certain commercial privileges of
great value.
POLITICAL PARTIES.--The republican party nominated General Ulysses S. Grant, of Illinois, for
President, and Schuyler Colfax, of Indiana, for Vice-President. The democratic party nominated Horatio
Seymour, of New York, and General Frank P. Blair, of Missouri. Virginia, Mississippi, and Texas were not [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]