Struggles and Triumphs · Chapter
Political and Personal explained
Barnum recounts his involvement in Civil War-era politics and personal safety, including the suppression of a peace newspaper, his support for Elias Howe Jr., and his own precautions against mob violence.
What happens
Barnum recounts his involvement in Civil War-era politics and personal safety, including the suppression of a peace newspaper, his support for Elias Howe Jr., and his own precautions against mob violence. He delivers a passionate speech advocating for black suffrage and the abolition of slavery, arguing for equal rights and education regardless of race.
Themes in this chapter
Public Perception and Reputation
Barnum navigates public opinion and mob violence, offering to help the suppressed newspaper's proprietors.
Philanthropy and Public Service
Barnum's political speech and Howe's charitable acts highlight service to country and community.
Resilience in Adversity
Barnum prepares for potential mob attacks with rockets and guards, showing resilience in the face of threats.
Characters to notice
- P. T. Barnum
Narrates his political actions and personal experiences during the Civil War, including his speech on constitutional amendments.
- Elias Howe Jr.
Enlisted as a private in the Seventeenth Connecticut volunteers, advanced $13,000 to fellow soldiers, and chartered a train for his regiment.
- Charity Barnum
Mentioned implicitly as part of the household at Lindencroft during the burglary attempt.
- Mr. James Gordon Bennett
Barnum telegraphed accounts of the Stepney events to New York papers, likely including Bennett's.
Key passages
“I did not approve of this summary suppression of the paper, and offered the proprietors a handsome subscription to assist in enabling them to renew the publication of the Farmer.”
Barnum disagreed with the mob's destruction of the Farmer newspaper and donated money to help the owners restart it.
Barnum's stance against violent suppression of dissent.
“Elias Howe, Jr., although he was a man of wealth and well advanced in years, enlisted as a private in the Seventeenth regiment of Connecticut volunteers and served in the Army of the Potomac.”
Despite his age and wealth, Elias Howe Jr. joined the Union army as a private soldier.
Howe's patriotic service despite personal resources.
“I was instantly on my feet and summoning my servants, one ran and rung the large bell on the lawn which served in the day time to call my coachman from the stable, another turned on the gas, while I fired a gun out of the window and I then went to the top of the house and set off several rockets.”
When the burglar alarm went off, Barnum quickly mobilized his household, fired a gun, and launched rockets to scare off intruders.
Barnum's dramatic response to a burglary attempt at Lindencroft.
“I say a 'nigger has no business to be a nigger,' and we should kick him out of society and trample him under foot—always provided, gentlemen, you prove he was born black at his own particular request.”
Barnum sarcastically repeats a racist argument to highlight its absurdity, arguing that skin color is not a choice and thus no basis for discrimination.
Barnum's rhetorical strategy in his speech for black suffrage.