I believe in deterrence as much as the next guy, but I don’t think non-execution 160 years ago had much to do with contemporary MAGA. 1/

We absolutely should have prevented ex-confederates for regaining positions of wealth and power in the South, allowing reconstruction to give way to “redemption” absolutely helped pave the way for contemporary MAGA. 2/

But execution would never have been the way to ensure that. Executing many thousands (as you’d have to) so you are not tempted to make a corrupt trade to get your guy declared President would be quite its own sin. 3/

The resolution of the election of 1876 was the catastrophe, not insufficient bloodletting. /fin