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JOIN US ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2025 AT 7:15 P.M. (Pacific Time)
FOR A PRESENTATION ON:
"TWO CONSEQUENCIAL CONGRESSES: THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH DURING THE CIVIL WAR"
WITH Edward Pearson, Attorney and Pasadena CWRT Vice President
A Scene in the Hall of Representatives, Washington
by Thomas Nast - April, 1861
published in the Illustrated London News
We live in an era where the Executive Branch dominates in national politics. But this was not always so. Think of the giants of the Senate and the House in the middle of the 19th century. And while Abraham Lincoln was the towering figure of the years of the Civil War, the Congress of the war years made its substantial mark on the political life of the nation.
In the middle of the war, according to one historian of the Congress, “These men repeatedly demonstrated their willingness and their determination to meet the challenges presented and to seize the opportunities offered to come to grips with some of the most critical problems in American life.”
These four years saw two Congresses – the 37th and 38th – draw “the blueprint for a new America.” (The 39th Congress came into office with the inauguration of Lincoln in 1865.) Those Congresses passed “a raft of forward-looking legislation” at the same time that the Legislative Branch was financing, and to an extent, advising the President on the war.
This talk will give an overview of the working of the Congress from 1861-1865. Yes, the war-related activities will be explored, but so will the long-range nonmilitary legislation of these Congresses, which had such enduring impact on the social, economic, and political structure of the nation.
As one commentator observed, these Congresses, like all Congresses, were made up of “the brilliant, the mediocre, and the incompetent.” We can take a look at what they did and consider what they achieved.
Edward Pearson was born in San Diego to a Naval officer father. He bounced around the U.S., including two years spent at the Naval base at Guantanamo. He went to high school back in San Diego, then came up to LA to go to USC, then to USC Law School. Ed has been an attorney since 1978, practicing in the field of Estate and Trust Law. He is currently with the firm of Overton, Lyman & Prince, whose claim is it is the oldest firm in Los Angeles. Ed has always been a student of history generally, U.S. history particularly, and Civil War history even more particularly. He is currently on the Board of Directors of the Pasadena CWRT, holds the office of Vice President, and serves as our "Trivia Master" at each meeting.
Last year Ed gave his talk on the same day as his fifth grandchild was born; this year he will speak one month after Grandchild #6 arrived.
Two years ago, Ed began what has turned into a triumvirate of presentations with his talk on the executive branch of our government during the Civil War. Last year he covered the judicial branch, and will complete the trifecta with this talk on the legislative branch. Be the first to hear the final installment this month. These talks have proven popular, and Ed has presented them to several SoCal area CWRTs. If you've attended all three presentations, you've collected the whole set!
Thanks to the volunteer efforts and expertise of our Pasadena CWRT members, Tina Miller and Monika Skerbelis, we are now able to record our monthly meetings and post the videos to our YouTube Channel for your enjoyment and edification if you are unable to join us for our live meetings. We invite you to check out the videos from our two years of virtual meetings, as well as our most recent presentations, at our YouTube Channel:
CLICK HERE
We are indebted to Tina and Monika for helping us to bring this wonderful added benefit to allow our non-local members and guests to enjoy the presentations of our distinguished roster of speakers.
PLEASE JOIN US FOR OUR IN-PERSON MEETING:
Pasadena CWRT - TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2025 - 7:15 PM (Pacific Time)
The Blinn House - 160 North Oakland Avenue - Pasadena
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