Pioneer Politics?

[W. Gray]

Taking 1850 as an example, there were five political parties in existence, Democrats, Free Soils, Whigs, Liberty, and Know-Nothings. Democrats were the exact opposite of what they are today.

West bound wagon train travelers out of Independence in 1850 for the promised land may have been more politically motivated that one might have thought and they seem to have exercised those political rights on the trails, or did they?

It appears that women were the equivalent of modern day Democrats and men were the equivalent of modern day Republicans, or so it seems.

At least the grading order was "Women left" and "Men right."

What was this all about?

[frawin]

Waldo that is interesting, my Wife is a Registered Republican and there is NO doubt she is a Conservative. I have  said many times Ronald Reagan was the Best President in my lifetime, and was as Far RIGHT AND CONSERVATIVE
AS THEY COME. I wish we had him back today..

[redcliffsw]

Democrats were real Democrats in those days.  Republicans gave them Reconstruction and Democrats began following the Republican mandate and to this day we have something like two (2) Republican parties. 

Lincoln is the hero to Republicans and most all modern Democrats.  Modern Democrats being like Republicans.  Obama is a Lincolnite - no question about that.

 

[W. Gray]

Taking 1850 as an example, there were five political parties in existence, Democrats, Free Soils, Whigs, Liberty, and Know-Nothings. Democrats were the exact opposite of what they are today.

West bound wagon train travelers out of Independence in 1850 for the promised land may have been more politically motivated that one might have thought and they seem to have exercised those political rights on the trails, or did they?

It appears that women were the equivalent of modern day Democrats and men were the equivalent of modern day Republicans, or so it seems.

At least the grading order was "Women left" and "Men right."

What was this all about?

I thought I would have some political fun with this one because of the "left" and "right" designation. The end result was a question that really had nothing to do with politics.

Women may have had a political philosophy but it did not matter since they were not voters. I might also add that in 1950 neither Lincoln nor the Republican party were around the elected political scene. Lincoln was a "has been" state legislator and the Republican party was another four years down the road.

The term "Women Left" and "Men right" was the tradition of the day for designating the direction from the wagon train as to where each sex should go to relieve themselves.

I wonder, though, about the plains where there were no trees, big rocks, bushes, etc. I also wonder about when the wagons were circled. And, I wonder how far one would dare go from the wagon train because of the potential danger.

[frawin]

Waldo if it wasn't for you  and Karen Posting the Obituaries the Forum wouldn't  be worth looking at. Your Postings about Howaard and Elk county are Really interesting. I have been Printing them and putting them in my Collection of Pictures and other History of the Elk County Area. You are without a doubt MR ELK COUNTY.

[jarhead]

Quote from frawin:
Waldo if it wasn't for you  and Karen Posting the Obituaries the Forum wouldn't  be worth looking at.

Frank
You ask why people don't post anymore but if people think their posts aren't worth looking at, maybe that is why some quit.
I too enjoy Waldo's posts but there are so many more—especially Warph with his wit and wisdom---and the ol Bull Moose and the list goes on