Double Vacancy

During the fall campaign the Republicans campaigned on a platform of (1) drawing down the overall number of federal troops in the former Confederate states and using the military only for suppressing racially motivated violence and ensuring the right of every citizen, regardless of color or previous condition of servitude, to vote; (2) promoting agricultural and industrial expansion throughout the nation; and (3) continuing the governmental and patronage reform programs begun by Congress and Acting President Anthony in the past year. The Kelley campaign worked tirelessly to draw newly enfranchised blacks and progressive white southerners into the Republican fold. The Republicans blasted the Democrats for fanning the flames of violence against blacks, promoting sectionalism and seeking to undermine the economic future of America. The party’s slogan was:
The Party of Lincoln and Grant: Proclaiming Hope and Opportunity throughout the Land!

The Democrats blasted Kelley for wanting to “turn the government over to former slaves and rebels”. Akerman’s eligibility to serve as Vice President, his being an ex-Confederate officer, was challenged. In fact however, Akerman was eligible. President Andrew Johnson had granted unconditional amnesty to all Confederates on Christmas Day, December 25, 1868 (the day after General Grant’s death). The Republican leadership in Congress was derided as being under the control of “big city party bosses” and “wealthy industrialists.” The Pendleton campaign called for (1) an immediate end to the occupation of southern states by federal troops; (2) increased federal expenditures to rebuild the agricultural base in the south; and (3) reform of the patronage system and streamlining the size of the federal government. Their slogan was:
Pendleton and McCreery: A New Way for a New Day!

On November 2, 1869, the Kelley-Akerman ticket received 51.7% of the vote. The Pendleton-McCreery ticket received 47.4%. The margin of victory was almost one whole percentage point below what Grant-Colfax had received one year earlier, but it was a respectable win none the less. The Presidential Electors would meet in December to officially elect the new President and Vice President. Acting President Anthony issued a statement two days after the election declaring that “Our system of government works,” and that “it had withstood a test which would have plunged a lesser nation back into civil war.”

As the 41st Congress gathered in joint session on February 8, 1870 the mood was jovial. The great chamber was alive with energy and sound as senators and representatives entered the room. Everyone was smiling and talking. They were there to fulfill a constitutional duty. Their task was to count the votes of the Electoral College from the 1869 election for President and Vice President of the United States. It was a historic occasion, and everyone was eager to get on with the official business of the day.

Seated behind the podium were the Speaker of the House, James Blaine (R-Maine) and President Pro Tempore of the Senate, Matthew Carpenter (R-Wisconsin). Also present was the Acting President of the United States, Henry Anthony. In due course, Mr. Blaine rose and banged his gavel. “I have here the votes of the Electoral College for President and Vice President of the United States.” Blaine read the elector's votes state by state. Then, after a few moments the clerk handed him a piece of paper with the vote totals written on it. Blaine cleared his throat and said, "The electoral vote is... 208 votes for the Republican Party ticket of Kelley and Akerman; 86 votes for the Democratic Party ticket of Pendleton and McCreery. William Kelley and Amos Akerman have been elected President and Vice President of the United States. Is there anyone who wishes to contest these results?" Five Democratic Members of Congress, including Thomas McCreery rose and related alleged incidents of irregularity form states in the former Confederacy, but made no official challenge to the results. When they were finished, Mr. Blaine asked if anyone else wished to speak on the electoral vote. There was silence in the room. BANG went the speaker's gavel. "Then these results are received and declared legal and final." BANG went his gavel again.

“Gentlemen,” Blaine said, “this time, thankfully, our work is finished. We and Henry Anthony have guided our nation through uncharted waters. This has been a year of … and so, relying on the blessings of almighty God, we move forward into the future. Thank you Mr. President.” Anthony received a standing ovation. He rose from his seat and addressed the Congress saying, “Thank you for your support during this long and extraordinary year, and for your hard work. God bless each of you and our great nation.”

Indeed a most extraordinary year in American history was drawing to a close. The inauguration of the Vice President and President that year went on as it had for ¾ of a century. It was a day filled with pomp and pageantry. In his inaugural address, President Kelley paid tribute to Grant and Colfax, calling them “champions of liberty” and “self-sacrificing servants of the republic.” He also thanked Henry Anthony for his “wisdom, perseverance and able leadership of the nation”, and for helping to turn “a national nightmare into a shining hour.”


Postscript:
Former Acting President Anthony was elected to his previous Senate seat by the legislature of Rhode Island in November 1870. He served in the Senate until his death on September 2, 1884.
 
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Secretary of War - Philip Sheridan
IIRC Sheridan was "The General of the Armies" for over thirty years [Held position during Spanish/American War]. Not sure He would accept this Demotion.
 
Thanks for reading and commenting. Yes, if Philip Sherman becomes Sec. of War in 1869, his military career would be over. There would be no 3rd or 4th stars, nor would he become Commanding General of the Army. In OTL, Philip Sherman received his 3rd Star from President Grant in March 1869, became Commanding General of the Army (the most senior active officer) in 1883 and recieved his 4th star from President Cleveland in 1888 - shortly before his death that year. None of that will happen here. I would hope that the Army and the Kelley Administration in TTL would find ways to use his talents and knowledge as the US moves into the alternate future set into motion by the Double Vacancy of '68.
 
A big change that no one's commented on...

With the presidential election cycle no longr concuring with the Congressional and Senatorial election cycles, Congresscritters are always campaigning without a presidential campaign going on-as are senators. And the new president always steps up to a government that's not shuffling the legislature around at the same time. In the USA, there's always a major election coming, one year from the previous one!
 
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