ARTIST: Thomas Nast
PUBLISHER: Published in Harper's Weekly. May 11, 1872.
MEDIUM: Wood engraving,
DATE: 1872.
EDITION SIZE: Image size 9 x 13 1/2" (22.9 x 34.5 cm).
DESCRIPTION: Political cartoon depicting anti-Grant forces surrendering the fort to the 'Tammany Ring,' and 'KKK' - references to the corruption and violence in the Democratic party. Standing on the fort's wall waving the white flag is Carl Schurz, founder of the Liberal Republican Party. The party had sided with the Democrats during the 1872 presidential election because they didn't fit in with the rest of the Republican party. His flag reads, 'Truce. We surrender anything to beat Grant.' Next to him is Horace Greeley, who was the favorite of the Liberal Republican Party and would eventually get the Democratic nod. He blows a trumpet, which is upside down in his hands. In his pocket is a newspaper reading 'What I know about blowing.' The artist, Thomas Nast, did a series of "What I know about..." featuring Greeley during the election, each ridiculing him for claiming to know more than he actually did. It came in reference to a book he published in 1871, titled "What I know about Farming," which was based on childhood memories, rather than actual practice. <br><br> Climbing over the wall, on the right, is group bearing the flag of 'Democratic Party, Seymour Blair,' which refers to the Democratic nominees of the last election. A cannon in the center is marked "Cincinnati Convention,' the only national convention held by the Liberal Republican Party. It stands, almost alone, against the forces headed their way - in the distance, on the left, is the Republican "Philadelphia Convention." It wouldn't be held until June, but it was expected to do well because the Republican incumbent, Ulysses S. Grant, was favorite among the people of America.
ADDITIONAL INFO:
CONDITION: Good condition.
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