What will Culpeper do election night?

Zann Miner
Published: October 25, 2008

On Nov. 4th, what will Culpeper do?

Does it really matter? Probably not in the larger scheme of things, but the success of a democracy is based on the cumulative participation of the masses. There is a tendency to be protective and mute concerning our voting opinions, but historical record can offer interesting insight.

In its region Culpeper has always been ahead of the pack for innovation, technology and leadership. Though several areas are in need of more attention, Culpeper has a reputation for improving quality of life, nurturing a healthy economy and in most cases governing for the greater good.

There are always the exceptions, slip ups, and personal agendas, but the reference is to the prevailing profile of the past 259 years. The BBC concurs and has determined Culpeper to be a microcosm of small-town America, hence their recent filming and their scheduled coverage of election night at Raven’s Nest on Davis Street.

There have been numerous financial crises throughout U.S. history coinciding with a presidential election and heavily impacting the outcome. Prior to the 1930s, critical economic setbacks were known as “financial panics.” A review of these in regard to Culpeper’s vote may provide an indication of how Culpeper will vote on Nov. 4, 2008.

Don’t get terribly bogged down in political labels; they have changed frequently as the candidates and their parties attempted to redefine themselves and win elections.

As to issues of conservative or liberal, certainly there are regional leanings including the ongoing debate surrounding the rights of individuals versus states versus the Federal government. History demonstrates even these have taken a back seat, if only on an interim basis, when a crisis demands a different approach. The crisis may be in the form of an economic depression or a full-fledged war, but historically, it has unified the voting populace.

We are a nation of independent thinkers. We are voters that wholeheartedly champion the rights of free enterprise and the individual spirit when times are healthy and prosperous, and yet we reserve the right to act in a different, bolder and less political manner if the need is justified.

Can we once more put aside personal and political preferences in order to get the job done and return our nation to prosperity on all fronts? History proves that we have that capability both as a nation and as a community.

We will soon find out what kind of history Culpeper will make on Nov. 4.

Until next week, be well.
SIDE BAR
Panic of 1819
The first major American depression, in part was attributed to the War of 1812.
Banks were forced to call in loans resulting in foreclosures of farms and subsequent bank failures
Election of 1820: James Monroe (D/R) v John Q. Adams (I/R)
Nation: Monroe
Virginia: Monroe
Culpeper: Monroe
Culpeper supported the same party (Democratic-Republican) until the parties were redefined as Democrat or Republican in 1828 and Andrew Jackson ran as a Democrat.
Panic of 1837
Triggered by among other factors a collapse in cotton prices, economic problems overseas and escalating land speculation.
Brokerage firms and state-chartered banks failed accompanied by a collapse of real estate prices.
The policies of Andrew Jackson, (D) were blamed and his VP, Van Buren, lost the 1840 election as a result.
Election of 1840: Wm. H. Harrison (W) v Martin Van Buren (D)
Nation: Harrison
Virginia: Van Buren
Culpeper: Van Buren
The nation threw out the incumbent party and Culpeper supported the change.
Panic of 1857
Caused by the failure of the Ohio Life Insurance and Trust Company, conducting its business as a bank headquartered in New York City. Reckless speculation in railroads led the company into trouble and ultimate collapse.
Stock prices plummeted.
Recovery began in early 1859.
Election of 1860 cannot be defined as anyone’s norm.
Candidates: Lincoln (R), Douglas (D), Breckinridge (So. Dem.), Bell (Constitutional Union)
Nation: Lincoln
Virginia: Bell by 156 votes to Breckinridge
Culpeper: Bell by one vote to Breckinridge
Panic of 1873
The investment firm of Jay Cooke and Company went bankrupt in September 1873 as a result of rampant speculation in railroads.
The stock market dropped sharply and caused numerous businesses to fail.
An estimated three million Americans lost their jobs.
Election of 1876: Rutherford B. Hayes (R ) v Samuel J. Tilden (D)
Nation: Hayes
Virginia: Tilden
Culpeper: Tilden
Nation held with the same party, Culpeper supported a change
Panic of 1893
The New York stock market dropped sharply, and in late June panic selling caused the stock market to crash.
A severe credit crisis resulted, more than 16,000 businesses failed including 156 railroads and nearly 500 banks.
One in six American men lost their jobs.
Election of 1896: Wm. McKinley (R ) v Wm. J. Bryan (D)
Nation: McKinley
Virginia: Bryan
Culpeper: Bryan
Nation supported a change of party, Culpeper supported the incumbent party.
Panic of 1907
The stock market fell nearly 50% from its peak in 1906, resulting in numerous runs on banks and trust companies.
A retraction of loans by banks spread across the nation, leading to the closings of banks and businesses.
Election of 1908: Wm. Taft (R) v Wm. J. Bryan (D)
Nation: Taft
Virginia: Bryan
Culpeper: Bryan
Nation supported the incumbent party, while Culpeper supported a change.
Election of 1912: Woodrow Wilson (D) v Wm. H. Taft (R)
Nation: Wilson
Virginia: Wilson
Culpeper: Wilson
Nation and Culpeper supported a change of party.
Great Depression of 1930
Stock Market crash of ‘29,
Bank failures
Severe unemployment
Elections of 1932,’36,’40,’44
Nation: FDR,(D) v Hoover (R), Landon (R), Wilkie (R), Dewey (R)
Virginia: FDR
Culpeper: FDR
Nation and Culpeper supported a change of party.

Zann Miner, former director of the Museum of Culpeper History, can be reached at or send her mail at the Star-Exponent, 471 James Madison Highway, Culpeper Va., 22701.