Larry Glickman

@larryglickman

Historian at Cornell University and author, most recently, of FREE ENTERPRISE: AN AMERICAN HISTORY. Working on a history of backlash politics in the United States, from Reconstruction to the present.

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Larry Glickman@larryglickman· 14d

Only 70 years ago, a white Virginia librarian was arrested for sitting next to a Black person at a public political meaning in Arlington, VA.

“Race Ban Defier Fined,” Juneau Empire, Nov 16, 1956, 2. “A 43-year old woman librarian was convicted today of violating a Virginia segregation law by sitting beside a Negro at a public political meeting in Arlington, Va. Miss Faith Bissel was fine $15 by Judge Paul D. Brown of Arlington county court. Her attorney appealed the decision.

Larry Glickman@larryglickman· 18d

In spite of it being nearly four decades into the New Deal Order by 1971, Powell had a hard time comprehending a mixed economy that would not, in slippery slope fashion, tend toward totalitarianism.

There seems to be little awareness that the only alternatives to free enterprise are varying degrees of bureaucratic regulation of individual freedom--ranging from that under moderate socialism to the iron heel of the leftist or rightist dictatorship.

Larry Glickman@larryglickman· 18d

Powell's call for "viewpoint diversity" avant la lettre.

Social science faculties (the political scientist, economist, sociologist and many of the historians) ted to be liberally oriented, even when leftists are not present. This is not a criticism per se, as the need for liberal thought is essential to a balanced viewpoint. The difficulty is that "balance" is conspicuous by its absence on many campuses, with relatively few members being of conservative or moderate persuasion and even the relatively few often being less articulate and aggressive than their crusading colleagues.

Larry Glickman@larryglickman· 18d

From Lewis F. Powell Jr.'s famous 1971 Memo to the US Chamber of Commerce. Powell was concerned that young people were attracted to attacks on "the free enterprise system." Notably, today it is rare to hear even democratic socialists talk about the "socialization of basic U.S. industries."

A recent poll of students on 12 representative campuses reported that:
"Almost half the students favored socialization of basic U.S. industries."

Larry Glickman@larryglickman· 20d

I imagine that they'll discuss the legacy of C. Vann Woodward's 1955 book and his argument about the "Mississippi Plan" in his 1951, ORIGINS OF THE NEW SOUTH, 1877-1913.

C Vann Woodward, THE STRANGE CAREER OF JIM CROW, third revised edition

Larry Glickman@larryglickman· 20d

This is from the start of the Obama/Gladwell podcast on Reconstruction. I'm looking forward to listening, mostly because of the excellent set of historians who appear. I hope in the course of the series, they do more to distinguish between the end of Reconstruction and the beginning of Jim Crow.

The backlash to this progress, particularly in southern states amongst groupsl ike the KKK, was loud and violent. By 1877 a compromise was reached in the face of a contested presidential election. What followed was essentially the end of Reconstruction and the beginning of the Jim Crow Era.

Larry Glickman@larryglickman· 20d

This is quite a lede.

Hands Chopped Off in Factory Accident
A young woman guillotine operator was recovering in hospital today after surgeons sewed back her hand which were chopped off in an accident at a a wallpaper factory.

Larry Glickman@larryglickman· 20d

In 1991, William Rusher, who had recently stepped down as publisher of National Review, claimed that many conservatives opposed Pat Buchanan’s “American First” policies. I wonder if the same is true in the era of Trumpism?

Buchanan is the chief exponent of an “America First” policy that seems to favor protectionists trade measures, sharp limits on immigration and an isolationist foreign policy, all of which are strongly opposed by many people who consider themselves, with justice, every bit as conservative as Pat Buchanan. How can they join his parade?

Larry Glickman@larryglickman· Jul 11

Obviously, Buchanan put forward here a conservative wish list, but it is notable that 4 (which says that judges and justices should be reconfirmed every 8 years) and 5 (which allows Congress to override Supreme Court decisions) focused on constraining the power of the Courts.

The 10 New Amendments
4. All federal judges and justices of the Supreme Court shall be subject to reconfirmation by the Congress every eight years.
5. Decisions of the Supreme Court may be set aside by a two-thirds vote of both houses of Congress, with the approval of the President.

Larry Glickman@larryglickman· Jul 11

In 1988, Pat Buchanan, unhappy with the direction of the Supreme Court (although at that time 6 of the Justices were GOP appointees), proposed a massive remaking of the Court, called for "selective civil disobedience" against "evil" laws, and sought to "diminish the power of unelected judges."

Patrick J. Buchanan, "Supreme Court Must Be Brought Back into the Fold,"
"The 10 New Amendments"

Larry Glickman@larryglickman· Jul 9

I've been warned by @gregsargent.bsky.social about amplifying these things, but at one point on Ross Douthat's podcast Rod Dreher, who graduated from LSU as a journalism major in 1989, claims that "leading universities" have "become woke madrassas." Douthat responds by saying the following:

Douthat: I respond to it first by saying there are things that the Trump administration has done regarding universities that I think are completely reasonable and, in fact, have been secretly welcomed by people in universities themselves.

Larry Glickman@larryglickman· Jul 9

It’s been fascinating and thrilling over the last 3 weeks to witness a bird (I think, Robin) build a nest on our front porch ceiling fan. This am, for the first time, I witnessed the babies stick their mouths out above the top of the nest as they expectantly waited for food, which soon arrived.

Photo of nest with babies sticking their mouths out.

Larry Glickman@larryglickman· Jul 8

IMO, the Times too often centers some stories around Trump’s putative emotions (he’s “furious”) and frequently frames other articles on the basis of what Trump said (“he describes”). But in this lede Tyler Pager does both.

Trump is furious at Iran for what he describes as their violations of the agreement.
“We make a deal, and everyone’s agreed….”

Larry Glickman@larryglickman· Jul 8

And the 55th anniversary of the Powell Memo.

Larry Glickman@larryglickman· Jul 7

This argument by Tom Edsall has been made for well more than half a century. You could read nearly identical analyses in the 1960s. This must be a very slow-motion “takeover.”

As liberals have gained control over major institutions—universities, major nonprofits, the media, Hollywood—are they no longer insurrectionists but rather ripe targets for insurrectionists? Have their elevated standing and growing affluence turned them into proponents of the status quo?

Larry Glickman@larryglickman· Jul 7

Finally, I'm not exactly sure what evidence Vance is adducing to make this claim about "the men who won the Second World War." Of course, soldiers had many motivations. But the "Four Freedoms" and the "Double V" campaign were certainly big motivators for many soldiers (and civilians) too.

Vance looks upon the men who won the Second World War as civilizational models. They weren’t just defending ideas — “not ‘liberalism,’ not ‘freedom,’ not even ‘democracy,’” he writes. “It was Western Christian civilization, and the values particular to it: the concept of natural rights, including freedom of speech; a sense of duty to one’s neighbors; an obligation of the strong to protect the weak; a belief in free will and individual conscience.”

Larry Glickman@larryglickman· Jul 7

Would like to know more about the specifics of his argument that regionally "divergent interpretations of the Civil War are simply `part of the complicated diversity of the United States'," and, what if any, role Reconstruction plays in his narrative.

Vance acknowledges America’ peculiar institution, though with a generous helping of passive voice. “We learned of the slaves who were brought over and how they helped build the country with their bare hands,” he writes. “How they were mistreated and struggled but came to prevail at the end of the long road to freedom.” Also, Vance posits that regionally divergent interpretations of the Civil War are simply “part of the complicated diversity of the United States.”

Larry Glickman@larryglickman· Jul 7

This celebration of Confederate "tragic heroism" can, I think, be read as an example of how "the forces of reconciliation overwhelmed the emancipationist vision", to quote from @dblight.bsky.social's RACE AND REUNION.

Political trade-offs are evident when Vance recounts his history lessons on America’s own civilizational greatness, particularly those surrounding the Civil War. While Confederate generals fought for the “wrong cause” and Union generals for the “right cause,” he notes, the Confederates were “strategically brilliant” and “tragic in their heroism.” And, really, both sides helped build the nation: “Whether our great-great-great-grandfathers fought for Grant’s or Lee’s army, we learned that their actions that day had made it possible for us to be part of a United States of America.”

Larry Glickman@larryglickman· Jul 7

Significantly, Trump’s “1776 Commission” report also did not include the word “Reconstruction.” Note the use of passive voice (“Constitutional amendments were passed”) and the seeming implication that this period marked a “denial of core American principles.”

The conflict was resolved, but at a cost of more than 600,000 lives. Constitutional amendments were pass to abolish slavery, grant equal protection under the law, and guarantee the right to vote regardless of race. Yet the damage done by the denial of core American principles and by the attempted substitution of a theory of group rights in their place proved widespread and long-long-lasting.

Larry Glickman@larryglickman· Jul 6

I was researching something totally unrelated (from the Pampa Texas Daily News in 1948) but now I really want to find out why Sarah left Mac, whether she returned, and whether Mac was, in fact, good to her, if she did.

SARAH
WHY DID YOU LEAVE ME?
PLEASE COME HOME. I PROMISE TO BE GOOD TO YOU--MAC

Larry Glickman@larryglickman· Jul 6

Important to prioritize Trump’s Reaction to the Balogun Reinstatement.

Trump Asked FIFA to Review U.S. Player’s Suspension. Now he’s eligible to Play.
Trump and U.S. Teammates React to Folarin Balogun’s Reinstatement.

Larry Glickman@larryglickman· Jul 4

Back when politicians were gave speeches in Opera Houses, Rep. John Bingham in 1872, at perhaps the high point of Reconstruction, argued that the period from 1860-1872 “constitute an epoch” analogous to the Founding era, with a “vindicated and amended Constitution“ that ensured ”equal rights.”

Speech of Hon. John A. Bingham, Delivered at the Opera House, Columbus, Wednesday Evening, March 27, 1872.
The period from 1869 to 1872 is closing with a vindicated and amended Constitution, a restored Union, revived and unprecedented prosperity—with the man in the Presidency who led the armies of the Republic to victory, in defense of the nation’s life, and the supremacy of the nation’s laws.

Larry Glickman@larryglickman· Jul 3

As an American history professor, I regularly read new books, articles, and dissertations, and also evaluate unpublished manuscripts for journals and book publishers. I would not categorize the recent and emerging historiography in the binary way that Ezra Klein does.

There has been a severing of American history into two visions: one that can only see glory and one that can only see suffering and sin.

Larry Glickman@larryglickman· Jul 3

Blatant corruption.

Trump’s Huge Windfall Has Few Known Global Precedents
MAGA Base Stay Quite After Trump Reports Billions in Personal Gains
JD Vance and Melania Trump Also Has Sharp Earnings Incomes in 2025

Larry Glickman@larryglickman· Jul 2

Around the same time as Russell, Senator John Stennis, in a major Senate floor speech, offered a similar assessment of JFK's proposed bill: it is "punitive and oppressive and it far exceeds any of the vicious plans devised by Thaddeus Stevens in Reconstruction Days.”

Stennis, in a major Senate floor speech, said, "This bill, if it should become law, would vest in one individual--the AG--more naked and raw power over the life and property of citizens of this nation than has ever been held by any other individual in the history of this nation."
Stennis said the proposed legislation is "punitive and oppressive and it far exceeds any of the vicious plans devised by Thaddeus Stevens in Reconstruction Days.”

Larry Glickman@larryglickman· Jul 2

A year earlier, after JFK proposed what became the Civil Rights Act, Sen Richard Russell responded by saying: "This is the most viciously sadistic, monstrous suggestion made since the Reconstruction….This can only lead the country to totalitarianism."

Of the civil rights package itself, he singled out as the worst feature the President's request for power to withold federal funds from areas where segregation is practice.
He termed it a "genocide provision" and the "most viciously, sadistic, montstrous suggestions," since reconstruction days.

Larry Glickman@larryglickman· Jul 2

In response to Justice Arthur Goldberg's claim that "equality and liberty were the 'twin themes' of the American Revolution," Thurmond said, "Nothing could be further from the fact" and called it a "widespread illusion."

Mr. Justice Goldberg then proceeded to allege that "equality and liberty were the 'twin themes' of the American Revolution." Nothing could be further from the fact. If this widespread illusion is
not soon dispelled there is danger that our schoolchildren will soon be taught that Patrick Henry said, "Give me equality, or give me death."

Larry Glickman@larryglickman· Jul 2

A throughline to the upcoming July 4th celebrations is that critics of the civil rights bill tried decenter the preamble of Declaration of Independence. In his lengthy floor speech opposing the CRA, Strom Thurmond was annoyed by "the mystical preoccupation with equality."

Mr. President, the astonishing actions of the Congress already taken on H.R. 7152 are evidence of the existence of an almost mythological illusion about, and a mystical preoccupation with, equality. The sole appearance in any of our historical documents of the word "equality" is in the preamable to the Declaration of Independence. Nowhere is the word in the Constitution.

Larry Glickman@larryglickman· Jul 2

Paging @dblight.bsky.social

David W. Blight
Race and Reunion: The Civil War in American Memory

Larry Glickman@larryglickman· Jul 2

OTD in 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act. Here is a photo of LBJ handing a pen to Martin Luther King, Jr, at the signing ceremony. As the caption says, this was "the strongest civil rights legislation since Reconstruction Days."