Lincoln Discussion Symposium

Was it Edith Wilson?

(08-05-2018 12:18 PM)RJNorton Wrote: [ -> ]Was it Edith Wilson?

Yes, it was - congratulations, Roger. The closest we ever came to having a female President...

Let's try this one: Who was the first person in U.S. history to successfully blackmail a major political party? What was the blackmail about?

Was Aaron Burr somehow involved in this? Did he blackmail Thomas Jefferson and his political party into naming him vice-president?

Alexander Hamilton being blackmailed over his affair with Maria Reynolds by her husband, James.

Neither answer is correct according to my source, but Steve is close to the reason for the blackmail. Rogerm is correct also in that the blackmail came about because of a nomination for office.

Do take note that I stated that the blackmail involved a political party, not just a single individual.

I have no idea, but I'll guess Boss Tweed.

The only thing similar to the clues you've given so far that I can think of is James Callendar who wanted to be appointed postmaster of Richmond but President Jefferson refused, so Callendar published a series of articles attacking Jefferson on his character. These articles included the first public mention (although of distorted accuracy) of Jefferson fathering Sally Hemings' children. Though, I'm not sure if this counts as a blackmail of a party or could even be considered successful.

Sorry, Roger and Steve, keep searching. Roger is actually closer on a timeline. This occurred during a rare time in American history when reporters and journalists kept quiet about certain things in order to protect the nation's leaders' reputations and the honor of the country.

President Grover Cleveland's sex scandal?

(08-06-2018 10:12 AM)RJNorton Wrote: [ -> ]President Grover Cleveland's sex scandal?

You are getting very close...

Something to do with one of Warren G. Harding's mistresses?

Is cheating allowed? (I found a match...)

(08-06-2018 12:26 PM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote: [ -> ]Is cheating allowed? (I found a match...)

Researching is never cheating...

(08-06-2018 12:20 PM)Steve Wrote: [ -> ]Something to do with one of Warren G. Harding's mistresses?

It was indeed one of Harding's mistresses, but which one?

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(08-06-2018 12:26 PM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote: [ -> ]Is cheating allowed? (I found a match...)

Since Steve has zeroed in on the President involved, go ahead and cheat to figure out who the lady was who benefitted greatly from the blackmail.