We near 2024’s election for POTUS [FN1] Racism is an issue and is a significant part of other issues. [FN2] Slavery began here in 1619 [FN3], was protected by The Constitution [FN4] and ended , only because secession of the Southern States forced the issue. [FN5] [FN6] 1/9

A century earlier, in Indiana, D.C. Stephenson used racism as part of his sales pitch for Hoosiers to join the KKK, but racism “was part of daily life.” [FN7]. He also used xenophobia [FN8] and hundreds of thousands signed up. His conviction for murder did not end Hoosier racism. 2/9

In 1824, of four (4) candidates, Andrew Jackson, a slave owner who beat a man to death with his bare fists, won the popular vote (41.4 %), but only 99 of 261 electors. John Quincy Adams had 30.9% and 84 electors. The election went to the House. Adams won. [FN9] 3/9

The phrase “electoral college” is not in The Constitution. Hamilton said “mode of appointment of the Chief Magistrate” is “at least excellent.” [FN10] Electors are a relic that enshrines deals made, at the 1787 Constitutional Convention, on slavery. The 3/5 compromise meant 4/9

southern States w/large numbers of slaves had greater sway in electors. [FN11] Had Adams refused the office, Jackson might only have one term to wreck the national banking system & commit genocide against indigenous peoples. Plus: electors would not have been gamed. 5/9

Footnotes: FN1. “President of the United States,’ shortened to POTUS to economize on space. FN2. “Latest Poverty, Income, and Food Insecurity Data...” Center for American Progress, 12/21/22. FN3. Reuters, “Fact Check: First Slavess...” 06/19/20. 6/9

Footnotes: FN4. “[T]hree fifths of all other persons” (Art. I, § 2) and “Importation of such Persons” (Art. I, §9). FN5. The Emancipation Proclamation ended slavery, January 1, 1863, in States that seceded from the Union. 7/9

Footnotes: [FN6] Amendment XIII was deemed ratified 12/18/1865, and ended slavery in all of the States after the end of the Civil War. FN7. Lutholtz, “Grand Dragon,” 1993, p. 66. FN8. “fear or hatred of foreigners,” Amer College Dictionary, 1962 ed., p. 1411. 8/9

Footnotes: FN9. Meacham, “American Lion,” 2004, pp. 44-45. FN10. Federalist 68. FN11. Amar, Akhil, Prof Law Yale, “Actually, the Electoral College Was a Pro-Slavery Ploy,” NYT, 4/6/19. 9/9