Library to Host Silbey for Presentation on Democrats During the Civil War

Tompkins County Public Library and the Tompkins County Civil War Sesquicentennial Celebration Commission will present

“Challenging Lincoln,” a presentation on Democrats during the Civil War by acclaimed historian Joel Silbey, February 11 at 6 p.m. in the Library’s BorgWarner Community Room.

 

A leading historian on the politics of the Civil War, Silbey--professor emeritus from Cornell University--has penned more than two dozen books, including, “A Respectable Minority: The Democratic Party in the Civil War Era, 1860-1868 (1977).”

 

Silbey’s presentation will explore the often-overlooked Democratic party’s role in the Civil War.  Falling—under Lincoln--from dominance as the country’s premiere party, the Democrats were smaller in number but mighty in tenacity, battling to prevent the adoption of Republican policies.  Silbey will discuss these efforts, the role and behavior, and impact and significance, of Democrats during the War.

 

This program is being presented as part of a five-year partnership between the Library and the Tompkins County Civil War Sesquicentennial Celebration Commission to provide opportunities for community conversation and increased awareness about the Civil War.  It is free and open to the public.

 

For more information about Library programs, contact Carrie Wheeler-Carmenatty at cwheeler@tcpl.org or (607) 272-4557 extension 248.  For information about the Tompkins County Civil War Sesquicentennial Commemoration Commission, contact Carol Kammen, Tompkins County historian, at ckk6@cornell.edu.