Benjamin Harris

Benjamin Harris was a U.S. Representative from Maryland, serving during a tumultuous period in American history. A member of the Democratic Party, he held office in the House of Representatives from 1863 until 1867. His political career was marked by significant controversy, particularly during the Civil War, where his actions and statements drew national attention and led to his censure by the House. Harris's legacy is intertwined with the complex issues of his time, including slavery, civil rights, and the political divisions that characterized the era.

Early life and career

Benjamin Gwinn Harris was born on December 13, 1805, near Leonardtown in St. Mary's County, Maryland. His early education included attendance at Yale College in the late 1820s, where he became involved in a student protest regarding the quality of food provided in campus housing. This activism led to his removal from the institution. Following his time at Yale, Harris pursued legal studies at Harvard Law School from 1829 to 1830. After completing his education, he was admitted to the bar in 1840, marking the beginning of his legal career.

Harris's political involvement began in the early 1830s when he served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates. His terms in the state legislature occurred in 1833 and again in 1836. During his time in the House of Delegates, he was known for opposing the Know-Nothing Party, which was characterized by its anti-immigrant and anti-Catholic sentiments. Harris championed the cause of religious freedom, reflecting a commitment to civil liberties that would later contrast sharply with his actions during the Civil War.

As tensions escalated in the United States leading up to the Civil War, Harris's political positions became increasingly contentious. He was known to support the enforcement of slavery, advocating for measures that included the re-enslavement of freedmen in Maryland. This stance placed him at odds with the growing abolitionist movement and highlighted the complexities of his political ideology during a period of national crisis.

House tenure

Harris was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives as a Democrat, beginning his first term on March 4, 1863. He served in the Thirty-eighth and Thirty-ninth Congresses, with his tenure concluding on March 3, 1867. His election came at a time when the nation was deeply divided over issues related to the Civil War, and his actions in Congress reflected the contentious political climate of the era.

Throughout his time in the House, Harris was a vocal opponent of the war efforts. He consistently voted against war appropriations measures, which were critical for funding the Union's military operations. His opposition to these measures was indicative of his broader political philosophy and his alignment with pro-Confederate sentiments. Notably, Harris's vote against the Thirteenth Amendment, which aimed to abolish slavery, further solidified his reputation as a staunch defender of the institution of slavery.

Harris's controversial positions culminated in significant actions that drew the ire of his colleagues. He openly expressed support for the Confederacy, including a notable incident where he prayed for a southern victory during a session of the House. This act of defiance led to his censure by the House of Representatives on April 9, 1864, for what was deemed treasonable utterances. The censure reflected the growing frustration among Union supporters regarding the actions of certain members who appeared to undermine the war effort.

In addition to his censure, Harris faced legal repercussions for his actions during the war. In May 1865, he was tried by a military court in Washington, D.C., for harboring two paroled Confederate soldiers. The court found him guilty, resulting in a sentence of three years imprisonment and a lifetime disqualification from holding any office under the United States Government. However, this disqualification was later lifted when he received a pardon from President Andrew Johnson several weeks after his sentencing.

Legislative focus and committees

During his time in the House of Representatives, Benjamin Harris's legislative focus was largely shaped by the prevailing issues of the Civil War and the contentious political landscape of the 1860s. His opposition to war funding and the Thirteenth Amendment positioned him as a controversial figure within Congress, particularly among those advocating for the Union cause and the abolition of slavery.

Harris's committee assignments during his congressional tenure are not extensively documented, but his actions and votes reflect a consistent alignment with pro-Confederate interests. His resistance to war appropriations and his vocal support for the Confederacy placed him at odds with the majority of his colleagues, who were focused on preserving the Union and addressing the moral imperatives of the war.

The political environment in which Harris operated was characterized by intense divisions, not only between the North and South but also within the political parties themselves. The Democratic Party, to which Harris belonged, was divided over issues of war and peace, with some members advocating for a more conciliatory approach toward the South. Harris's positions aligned with the faction that sought to maintain the status quo regarding slavery and resist the war efforts, which ultimately led to his isolation within Congress.

Harris's legacy is marked by the complexities of his political beliefs and the historical context in which he operated. His actions during the Civil War, particularly his opposition to the Union's war efforts and his support for slavery, have led to a reevaluation of his contributions to American politics. After leaving Congress, he returned to Maryland, where he lived on his estate, "Ellenborough," until his death on April 4, 1895. He was interred in the family burying ground on his estate, leaving behind a legacy that continues to be examined in the context of American history and the ongoing discussions about civil rights and the legacy of slavery.