- Pronouns
- He/Him
[X] Attempt to force a preferred policy slate through Congress.
[X] Dispatch a representative to meet with the Camp Napoleon compact.
[X] Dispatch a representative to meet with the Camp Napoleon compact.
This Mighty Scourge of War: A Reconstruction-Era Quest
- Thread starter Kirook
- Start date
- Alt. History
- Location
- Minnesota
[X] Dispatch a representative to meet with the Camp Napoleon compact.
[X] Attempt to force a preferred policy slate through Congress.
[X] Attempt to force a preferred policy slate through Congress.
The Sandman
So Zetta Slowpoke
- Location
- Wherever I am, which isn't where I'm not
[X] Attempt to force a preferred policy slate through Congress.
Hopefully this should give us the chance to remind Congressmen behind closed doors that we've broken every other treaty we've made with the natives eventually and thus anything we agree to at Camp Napoleon is a temporary concession at worst.
Hopefully this should give us the chance to remind Congressmen behind closed doors that we've broken every other treaty we've made with the natives eventually and thus anything we agree to at Camp Napoleon is a temporary concession at worst.
[X] Attempt to force a preferred policy slate through Congress.
- Location
- The Colored Room
- Pronouns
- TheOne
It's best to be careful about this. The Radicals are very much willing to impeach a sitting president that steps on their toes too much. There is no "elected" president currently, just Congressional Successors, they've already had a taste of what a Colfax Presidency would be, it wouldn't be hard to push against them too much and suddenly Congress declares us incompetent and drafts impeachment articles to get you out of the way.
Vote closed
Chapter 5: The Narrow Path
- Location
- SF Bay Area
July 2, 1865
Perhaps it was no surprise that no single faction of in Congress was perfectly aligned with the President's aims. The National Union Party had been formed as a grand coalition of all those who opposed the Southern Confederacy, and the shocking tragedy of the White Camelia Conspiracy had helped them remain united behind the memories of their martyred leaders and against their common enemy. Nevertheless, the gulfs of opinion on how to deal with the prevailing issues facing the Union were often yawning—and in the process of forging his own political path, President Foster threatened to tear them open even further.
And yet, the President persisted. With Speaker Colfax at his side, he walked the halls of Congress and struggled mightily to gather allies for his plan. The "Presidential Faction" of the National Unity Coalition that formed from these efforts was in truth not really a faction at all in the sense that it shared any guiding principles or policy goals. Rather, it was an eclectic alliance of individual Senators and Representatives who were willing to vote for a part or the whole of his agenda for their own reasons—here a War Democrat anxious about the Ironclad Oath, there a Liberal Republican willing to make compromises in the name of ending the national chaos, elsewhere a Radical bucking consensus with his sympathy to the natives' plight.
All together, they were enough to protect the President from impeachment if one arose (and, possibly because his opponents in Congress realized this, no such attempt was made). But as Congressmen jumped ship from their factions or realigned themselves on an almost daily basis, the unity of the Coalition began to splinter. At a time when clear leadership was absolutely paramount—especially after the White Camelia Conspiracy and the Day of Four Presidents—the legislative unrest threatened to paralyze the government's response.
Foster and Colfax knew they had to act, but the President was limited in what he could actually do, able to use only those powers delegated to the executive branch by the Constitution. Getting enough of Congress on their side to break the deadlock would require making promises in exchange for support—promises to which both men would later be held, or risk courting disaster.
Before them lay a chance to design a grand, sweeping solution to the myriad challenges facing the Union…or a chance to sink deeper into the quagmire.
THE STATE OF THE NATION:
National stability is shaky.
The government's legitimacy is declining.
The capital is on edge.
The mood of the War Democrats is angry.
The mood of the Liberal Republicans is infuriated.
The mood of the Radical Republicans is infuriated.
There is one major Confederate army remaining in the field.
The status of Reconstruction is pending a policy decision.
The intensity of conflict on the frontier is severe.
Of the assassins of Lincoln and his trusted subordinates, one has been killed, four have been captured, one has escaped to Confederate territory, and the rest have gone to ground.
Executive Actions:
Promises:
This is a plan vote. Plans may include any of these choices in any combination.
Perhaps it was no surprise that no single faction of in Congress was perfectly aligned with the President's aims. The National Union Party had been formed as a grand coalition of all those who opposed the Southern Confederacy, and the shocking tragedy of the White Camelia Conspiracy had helped them remain united behind the memories of their martyred leaders and against their common enemy. Nevertheless, the gulfs of opinion on how to deal with the prevailing issues facing the Union were often yawning—and in the process of forging his own political path, President Foster threatened to tear them open even further.
And yet, the President persisted. With Speaker Colfax at his side, he walked the halls of Congress and struggled mightily to gather allies for his plan. The "Presidential Faction" of the National Unity Coalition that formed from these efforts was in truth not really a faction at all in the sense that it shared any guiding principles or policy goals. Rather, it was an eclectic alliance of individual Senators and Representatives who were willing to vote for a part or the whole of his agenda for their own reasons—here a War Democrat anxious about the Ironclad Oath, there a Liberal Republican willing to make compromises in the name of ending the national chaos, elsewhere a Radical bucking consensus with his sympathy to the natives' plight.
All together, they were enough to protect the President from impeachment if one arose (and, possibly because his opponents in Congress realized this, no such attempt was made). But as Congressmen jumped ship from their factions or realigned themselves on an almost daily basis, the unity of the Coalition began to splinter. At a time when clear leadership was absolutely paramount—especially after the White Camelia Conspiracy and the Day of Four Presidents—the legislative unrest threatened to paralyze the government's response.
Foster and Colfax knew they had to act, but the President was limited in what he could actually do, able to use only those powers delegated to the executive branch by the Constitution. Getting enough of Congress on their side to break the deadlock would require making promises in exchange for support—promises to which both men would later be held, or risk courting disaster.
Before them lay a chance to design a grand, sweeping solution to the myriad challenges facing the Union…or a chance to sink deeper into the quagmire.
THE STATE OF THE NATION:
National stability is shaky.
The government's legitimacy is declining.
The capital is on edge.
The mood of the War Democrats is angry.
The mood of the Liberal Republicans is infuriated.
The mood of the Radical Republicans is infuriated.
There is one major Confederate army remaining in the field.
The status of Reconstruction is pending a policy decision.
The intensity of conflict on the frontier is severe.
Of the assassins of Lincoln and his trusted subordinates, one has been killed, four have been captured, one has escaped to Confederate territory, and the rest have gone to ground.
Executive Actions:
| Direct the Union Army to immediately march on the last remnant of the Confederate States. | Open an investigation into the possible complicity of Congressional Copperheads in the White Camelia Conspiracy. | Issue an executive order authorizing a new run of United States Notes. |
| This will rally Congress behind a common enemy, but there will be serious logistical difficulties in sending the Army to campaign in the West at the present time unless additional action is taken. | This is a heavy-handed use of executive authority and will be perceived as such, but it may sway Radicals and intimidate moderates, and potentially offer further options if any conspirators are discovered. | Printing more "greenbacks" will help shore up the government's funds in the absence of West Coast precious metals, and as such will make the President less dependent on Congressional authority over the budget; but in the long run it may lead to economic instability, especially if the crisis continues. |
Promises:
| Agree to hold an emergency Presidential election at the earliest possible convenience. | Allow Congress to hold a vote to appoint a Vice President. | Promise to open the floor of Congress for debate on new Constitutional amendments. |
| This would reassure Congress that Foster is indeed a caretaker President as he claims to be, and has no long-term plans of using the crisis to his advantage. On the other hand, organizing an election in the current circumstances will be a major challenge. | By doing this, the President would be ceding his executive power to nominate a Vice President to Congress, giving them a greater voice in the affairs of the executive branch. This choice's effects depend on the status of Congress—it will be useful in the future if the President's efforts are successful, but if not, it may backfire. | This is technically a promise Speaker Colfax rather than President Foster would be making, but the President would still need to back the move. It could potentially strengthen the President's Reconstruction plans by enshrining parts of them in the Constitution, but allowing for continuous Constitutional revision may result in unpredictable outcomes… |
This is a plan vote. Plans may include any of these choices in any combination.
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[x] Plan Congressional Warfare
-[x] Open an investigation into the possible complicity of Congressional Copperheads in the White Camelia Conspiracy.
-[x] Promise to open the floor of Congress for debate on new Constitutional amendments.
Arrest the traitors in Congress, and use the reconstituted (and cowed) body to confirm a Reconstruction on our terms.
-[x] Open an investigation into the possible complicity of Congressional Copperheads in the White Camelia Conspiracy.
-[x] Promise to open the floor of Congress for debate on new Constitutional amendments.
Arrest the traitors in Congress, and use the reconstituted (and cowed) body to confirm a Reconstruction on our terms.
- Location
- USA
Marching on the last Confederate army needs to happen. Getting Congress on board with a common enemy is honestly a side benefit; the sooner we crush them the sooner we can start seriously talking about how Reconstruction will work.
As for what we'd promise to keep the federal government stable, I think an election is the only real long-term solution. Foster's in a precarious position - nobody actually wants him there and he never won an election for President. Organizing one will be precarious and difficult in its own right but it's best to rip off that band-aid now and get it over with.
As for what we'd promise to keep the federal government stable, I think an election is the only real long-term solution. Foster's in a precarious position - nobody actually wants him there and he never won an election for President. Organizing one will be precarious and difficult in its own right but it's best to rip off that band-aid now and get it over with.
Random Member
Gardener of Human Happiness
- Location
- Behind You
[] Plan Pushing All Buttons
-[] Direct the Union Army to immediately march on the last remnant of the Confederate States.
-[] Open an investigation into the possible complicity of Congressional Copperheads in the White Camelia Conspiracy.
-[] Issue an executive order authorizing a new run of United States Notes.
-[] Agree to hold an emergency Presidential election at the earliest possible convenience.
-[] Allow Congress to hold a vote to appoint a Vice President.
-[] Promise to open the floor of Congress for debate on new Constitutional amendments.
I predict that any problems resulting from this will balance out in the end!
-[] Direct the Union Army to immediately march on the last remnant of the Confederate States.
-[] Open an investigation into the possible complicity of Congressional Copperheads in the White Camelia Conspiracy.
-[] Issue an executive order authorizing a new run of United States Notes.
-[] Agree to hold an emergency Presidential election at the earliest possible convenience.
-[] Allow Congress to hold a vote to appoint a Vice President.
-[] Promise to open the floor of Congress for debate on new Constitutional amendments.
I predict that any problems resulting from this will balance out in the end!
Regency
PFP by vanathema (previously yubishines)
- Location
- Morioh Town, Mt. Ebbot
- Pronouns
- They/Them
Hmm, is something like this enough for now?
[] Plan: Decisive Maneuver v1
-[] Direct the Union Army to immediately march on the last remnant of the Confederate States.
-[] Agree to hold an emergency Presidential election at the earliest possible convenience.
Random Member
Gardener of Human Happiness
- Location
- Behind You
OK, serious now.
[] Plan Decisive Action
-[] Direct the Union Army to immediately march on the last remnant of the Confederate States.
-[] Open an investigation into the possible complicity of Congressional Copperheads in the White Camelia Conspiracy.
-[] Agree to hold an emergency Presidential election at the earliest possible convenience.
[] Plan Decisive Action
-[] Direct the Union Army to immediately march on the last remnant of the Confederate States.
-[] Open an investigation into the possible complicity of Congressional Copperheads in the White Camelia Conspiracy.
-[] Agree to hold an emergency Presidential election at the earliest possible convenience.
chellewalker
President of the Water Seeker Fan Club
- Pronouns
- She/Her
[X] Plan: Keep it Together
-[X] Direct the Union Army to immediately march on the last remnant of the Confederate States.
-[X] Agree to hold an emergency Presidential election at the earliest possible convenience.
-[X] Allow Congress to hold a vote to appoint a Vice President.
-[X] Promise to open the floor of Congress for debate on new Constitutional amendments.
-[X] Direct the Union Army to immediately march on the last remnant of the Confederate States.
-[X] Agree to hold an emergency Presidential election at the earliest possible convenience.
-[X] Allow Congress to hold a vote to appoint a Vice President.
-[X] Promise to open the floor of Congress for debate on new Constitutional amendments.
[X] Plan Pushing All Buttons
-[X] Direct the Union Army to immediately march on the last remnant of the Confederate States.
-[X] Open an investigation into the possible complicity of Congressional Copperheads in the White Camelia Conspiracy.
-[X] Issue an executive order authorizing a new run of United States Notes.
-[X] Agree to hold an emergency Presidential election at the earliest possible convenience.
-[X] Allow Congress to hold a vote to appoint a Vice President.
-[X] Promise to open the floor of Congress for debate on new Constitutional amendments.
Fuck it, take every option.
-[X] Direct the Union Army to immediately march on the last remnant of the Confederate States.
-[X] Open an investigation into the possible complicity of Congressional Copperheads in the White Camelia Conspiracy.
-[X] Issue an executive order authorizing a new run of United States Notes.
-[X] Agree to hold an emergency Presidential election at the earliest possible convenience.
-[X] Allow Congress to hold a vote to appoint a Vice President.
-[X] Promise to open the floor of Congress for debate on new Constitutional amendments.
Fuck it, take every option.
Last edited:
- Location
- USA
I think I'm more leaning towards what @Random Member proposed. Opening a transparently political investigation into members of Congress is playing with fire but if we just accept that Foster will lose the election we call as a result it's a way to weed out any remaining Confederate sympathizers and reforge Congress into a tool for a more durable Reconstruction policy.
Regency
PFP by vanathema (previously yubishines)
- Location
- Morioh Town, Mt. Ebbot
- Pronouns
- They/Them
Printing greenback is like the one solely negative option among them, I advise against voting for plans which contain it.
Hmm good point, voting for that.
[X] Plan Decisive Action
-[X] Direct the Union Army to immediately march on the last remnant of the Confederate States.
-[X] Open an investigation into the possible complicity of Congressional Copperheads in the White Camelia Conspiracy.
-[X] Agree to hold an emergency Presidential election at the earliest possible convenience.
Spylobster
Centrist-Malenyevist
[X] Plan Decisive Action
- Location
- Hollister
[X] Plan Decisive Action
Gladsome
The Sky will be as it was meant.
- Pronouns
- She/They
[X] Plan Decisive Action
-[X] Direct the Union Army to immediately march on the last remnant of the Confederate States.
-[X] Open an investigation into the possible complicity of Congressional Copperheads in the White Camelia Conspiracy.
-[X] Agree to hold an emergency Presidential election at the earliest possible convenience.
-[X] Direct the Union Army to immediately march on the last remnant of the Confederate States.
-[X] Open an investigation into the possible complicity of Congressional Copperheads in the White Camelia Conspiracy.
-[X] Agree to hold an emergency Presidential election at the earliest possible convenience.