THE RADICAL PARTY ON A HEAVY GRADE.
New York: Currier & Ives, 1868. Folio lithograph broadside, 13-1/4" x 17-1/4." Hinged at top, matted. Clean, brilliantly accomplished, Fine. Facsimile signature, 'J.M. Ives Del.' [James Merritt Ives] in lower left corner.
"An election-year cartoon, predicting the victory of former New York governor Horatio Seymour in the presidential race. Here, Seymour's head hovers, glowing, above the White House, complacently watching a group of struggling Republicans.
"Republican candidate Grant and his running mate Colfax draw a wagon, the 'Chicago Platform,' loaded with supporters up a steep hill toward the White House. . . Ohio ex-senator Benjamin Wade grumbles, 'Just as I told them! there is no strength in this team! why didn't they put me and [Theodore] Tilton on the ticket?'
"Massachusetts representative Benjamin F. Butler, holding spoons, says, 'I begin to feel a little spooney for with all Grants strength & Colfax to help him we seem to be going backwards.' As military governor of New Orleans in 1862, Butler earned a reputation as a corrupt plunderer. . . Massachusetts senator Charles Sumner exclaims: 'Why! Old Thad has fallen off the platform!'. New York Tribune editor Horace Greeley says: 'Well we wont stop to pick him up, its a pity he hadn't fell off before.' Thaddeus Stevens (lying on the ground behind) retorts: 'I'd rather fall off than ride with an Old scare crow like you'." [Reilly.]
Seymour appears, shining like the sun, above the White House. This election was probably the worst political performance of the Democratic Party, which proudly trumpeted itself as "The White Man's Party." Grant narrowly won the popular vote, but carried a substantial electoral majority.
Reilly 1868-14. Weitenkampf 157. OCLC 1136544141 [1- AAS, slightly different title] as of December 2024. Item #40558
Price: $2,500.00