The Dance of History

ARRIVAL OF THE GOLDEN AGE. NINE DAYS LATER.

In the grand waltz of history, it is a dance rife with violent twists and gentle turns, dramatic flair and subtle movements alike. Tossing us amidst scenarios of political tension, technological progress, and human resilience, every step captures years, or even mere months of momentous events. One such swirl in our historical dance took its turn in the mid-19th century, a period teeming with conflict and change. Through a retrospective lens, let's take steps backward into an era knotted by division over slavery, teetering on the brink of increased globalization, and punctuated by personal triumphs and tragedies.

The spotlight first falls on a land divided, the United States in the 1850s, the prologue to what would explode into an unforgettable Civil War. This was a time where the nation's very ethos seemed contentious, embedded in bitter disputes over slavery. The clashes in Kansas embodied this divide, as the Pacific mail Steamer Golden Age's news report from December 1855 detailed about the unrest in Lawrence. A report from the Lexington Express indicated: "Our forces convened at Franklin and Lecompton, with 1,200 pro-Slavery men, and are hardly restrained by Gov. Shannon... unless their arms and provisions are surrendered this evening, Lawrence is razed to the ground tomorrow."

Such relentless conflict laid bare the growing polarization and violence that in a few years would erupt into full-scale war. Yet, despite such grim indications, the article's report of a potential resolution in Kansas illuminates the glimmers of optimism championed by many, even in the face of escalating animosity.

Bouncing off this sobering segment, our retrospective gaze next lands on the chronicle of technological strides and global advances. Maritime disasters like the wrecking of the Steamship Crescent City and catastrophic fire aboard the clipper ship Constitution situate the era's precarious progress in firm context. Despite these high-stakes challenges, the human spirit pressed on, with rescue missions rescuing stranded passengers and cargos continuing to complex global destinations. Moreover, the chartering of ships Star of Hope and Rebecca to carry out stores to the Pacific squadron reflect the expansion in naval power and global reach.

Let's not forget the thread of personal narratives woven into the broad tapestry of the era. Robert Schuyler, infamous for his large-scale fraudulence, met his demise not at the hands of justice, but due to declining health, "grief and mortification". Parker H. French, a figure whose diplomatic pursuits met obstacles from the U.S. President, carried his mission across the Atlantic searching for recognition. Even Wisconsin's Democrat, Barstow, faced challenges in his reelection as Governor.

These personal stories, scattered amidst conflict and catastrophe, lend depth to our understanding of the era. They speak volumes about the individual experiences lived out amidst the larger zeitgeist of turbulence and transformation, underscoring the interplay between the macro and micro scales of history.

Peering through this window into the past, we are reminded just how poignant and intertwined the dances of history can be, each step influencing the next, and each dancer affecting the overall performance. One cannot help but ponder the echoes of these historical footfalls, reminding us of conflict's resilience, the double-edge sword of progress, and endearing human resilience persisting alongside it. Two steps forward, one step back, the proverbial dance continues. On this note, let's reverently quote one of the obtained texts from over a century ago, serving a haunting reminder of how far we've come and a reflection of the path we've trodden: "The latest arrival from Europe, brings rumors of peace, but the public had no means of estimating truth, and they are probably of little value."

Thus, let's continue to dance the dance of history – eyes keenly on the past, yet always moving towards the future. Because every step we take today is a step into a golden age of its own making. The true value lies not only in the steps we take, but in understanding the footprints left behind.



**Citation**:
- Trinity Journal, [ARRIVAL OF THE GOLDEN AGE. NINE DAYS LATER., 1856-01-26]
https://cdnc.ucr.edu/


Original Article:

HOUSE STILL UN-ORGANIZED. The Pacific mail Steamer Golden Age, arrived at San Francisco, on the 15th, with nine days later news from the Atlantic, and 851 passengers. The excitement between the Abolition and pro-Slavery parties in Kansas, continued unabated. Lawrence, the head-quarters of the Abolitionists, was occupied by 1200 armed men, waiting the attack of the Territorial militia, assisted by Missourians, under Gov. Shannon. The following from the Lexington Express, was written from Lawrence, under date Dec. 6th : — “ Our forces convened at Franklin and Lecompton, with 1200 pro-Slavery men, and are hardly restrained by Gov. Shannon, who is on the ground, and unless their arms and provisions are surrendered this evening, Lawrenced is razed to the ground to-morrow." There was a report in St. Louis on the 19th December, that the troubles in Kansas had been settled, by the people promising to deliver up offenders—obey the laws of the Territory—recognize the Governor as such, and otherwise conduct themselves in future, as law-abiding people. They refuse, however, to deliver up their arms. The volunteers from Missouri had been disbanded, and returned home. The House of Representatives had not elected a Speaker up to the 22d of December, the day the steamer sailed. The last vote stood, Banks, 104 | Fuller, 34 | Richardson, 73 | Scattering, 10 and a most unceremonious debate had been kept up for three or four days, between the Democrats, Abolitionists and Know-Noth-ings, on the absorbing topic of Slavery. Robert Schuyler died about the middle of last month, at his residence, in the environs of Genoa, Italy. He was not enriched by his monstrous frauds, but on the contrary he received from America, funds necessary for his subsistence. Since his departure from America, his health has been on the decline, and he finally died of grief and mortification. The Steamship Crescent City was wrecked on the Little Bahama Bank, on the 7th of December. She struck with a tremendous crash, and bilged immediately. The boats were lowered, and a raft constructed, in case it should be necessary to leave the ship before relief came. A boat was sent to Sandy Cay, forty-two miles distant, and returned on the 9th, with the wrecking schooner Defiance, which took off a portion of the passengers. The remainder of the passengers, with Captain Gray and the crew, afterwards chartered the Alma, to convey them to their destination. The splendid clipper-ship Constitution, with the whole of her cargo, was destroyed by fire in the river Mersey, on the 5th ult. The ship Star of Hope, and bark Rebecca, have been chartered by our Government, to carry out stores, to the squadron in the Pacific. The Washington correspondent of the New York Herald, states, that Parker H. French will proceed to England and France, if not received as Minister of Nicaragua, by the President of the United States, and ask recognition from those Governments. The State Board of Canvassers at Madison, have declared Barstow, Democrat, reelected Governor of Wisconsin, by 159 majority. His election will be contested. Judge Douglass is suffering under a severe ulceration of the throat. He has gone to Cleveland, to try the Water Cure. The Jury in the case of Baker, for the murder of Poole, were unable to agree, and were discharged. They were out forty-one hours. The latest arrival from Europe, brings rumors of peace, but the public had no means of estimating truth, and they are probably of little value.