Copperheadism

[ kop-er-hed-iz-uhm ]

noun

1. U.S. History. (during the Civil War) the advocacy of peace negotiations to restore the Union to its prewar condition, with continued slavery in the South.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Copperheadism¹

An Americanism dating back to 1860–65; copperhead + -ism

Example Sentences

Copperheadism, Vallandigham the incarnation of, 203.

From Project Gutenberg

Vallandigham was the incarnation of Copperheadism.

From Project Gutenberg

Burnside, finding himself sustained by his superiors in doctoring Copperheadism in Ohio, enlarged the scope of his practice.

From Project Gutenberg

Vallandigham, Clement L., "the incarnation of Copperheadism," 203; his speech of Jan. 14, 1863, 203, 204; his arrest ordered by Burnside, 204; tried by military commission, 204; his sentence of imprisonment commuted to banishment to the South, 204; all proceedings against, after arrest, illegal under habeas corpus suspension act, 205; nominated for governor of Ohio, but defeated, 206; 288.

From Project Gutenberg

What they were I do not recall—probably Copperheadism* in one of the editors, which she could sharply detect.

From Project Gutenberg