Harper's Weekly was one of the most influential publications of its day. The editorial below touches on so many issues of the day and many of which relate to today's opinions by contrast. The editorial original is in italics; my added commentary and background in   blue  and  not in italics.  Harper’s Weekly, Saturday April 24, 1858 THE PACIFIC RAILROAD Mr. Benjamin seems to have given this measure its quietus. The Senate, may, of course, reconsider the vote by which it has deferred further consideration of Sen. Green’s bill till December next, but it is not likely. Small as the majority was in favor of Mr. Benjamin’s motion, it is a majority which is likely to swell. (Sen. Judah P. Benjamin D-LA, a leader in New Orleans’ Jewish community and later the only intelligent member of the Confederate cabinet.  Last seen at the end of the Civil War in a row boat heading for a blockade runner with the remnants of the Confederate treasury. A brilliant lawyer,...

  Locofocos, Barn Burners, and Putty Heads Torchlight rally of Know Nothings in NY City  Don't you wish you could call some politician a " Locofoco ?" Or protest "all those  Barnburner   Putty Heads ?"      Plus  Know Nothings ,  Hards  and  Softs ,  Conscience Whigs , Free Soilers, Putty Heads  and  Fusionists  just to name a few of the political parties or factions of political parties. Modern political terms just lack this sort of colorful speech. Sept. 25, 1852 NY Herald (On the NY State Democratic convention)      Thus was the State ticket made up of two  softs , one  barnburner  and one  hard shell hunker ; and having formed an electoral ticket upon which are eighteen  hunkers  to seventeen  barnburners  and  softs , and a State committee which reckons nine  barnburners  and  softs  to seven  hunke...