Thomas Nast (1840-1902) illustrated his support for Cleveland in the campaigns of 1884 and depicted President Cleveland in political cartoons while he was in office from 1885 to 1887, when Nast left 

. Click through the images to learn more about how Nast illustrated his support for Cleveland. Think about the news article from the previous activity and how Nast's words in that interview align with the images in 

Governor of New York Grover Cleveland, seated at his desk, and a twenty-six-year-old Theodore Roosevelt are engaging in “their good work” as well-known reformers. Roosevelt, the future 26th President, began his political career in 1881 as a Republican in the New York State Assembly. He wasted no time in drafting many reform bills and quickly made a name for himself when more than half of them passed. 

Nast groups these two future presidents together because of their careers in New York politics and dedication to reform policies, even though Roosevelt was a Republican and Cleveland a Democrat. Nast was a Republican, but like Roosevelt sided with reform- minded Democrats commonly called “mugwumps,” who stayed independent of political machines.  

Nast purposefully put these two politicians in the same drawing. 

What does putting these two politicians from opposing parties communicate to Nast's audience who may be surprised to see Nast as a mugwump?

Governor of New York Grover Cleveland, seated at his desk, and a twenty-six-year-old Theodore Roosevelt are engaging in “their good work” as well-known reformers. Roosevelt, the future 26th President, began his political career in 1881 as a Republican in the New York State Assembly. 
Nast groups these two future presidents together because of their careers in New York politics and dedication to reform policies, even though Roosevelt was a Republican and Cleveland a Democrat.

1. Reform Without Bloodshed.jpg

Macculloch Hall Historical Museum

Reform Without Bloodshed

This cartoon corresponded to Grover Cleveland’s nomination as the presidential candidate, following the Democratic National Convention in July of 1884. 

After Cleveland’s nomination, General Edward Bragg of Wisconsin memorably remarked that Cleveland's supporters 

“We love him most of all for the enemies he has made”

 as written across the top of the engraving. Bragg was referring to the political bosses of Tammany Hall and other political opponents of Cleveland. 

In this cartoon, Nast illustrates Cleveland standing tall, virtuous and honest, with his back to the political machine of New York City’s Tammany Hall. Nast shows him ready to take on and dismantle Tammany Hall politicians like Boss John Kelly, successor to William “Boss” Tweed. 

Nast depicts Boss Kelly as an angry Native American, standing behind Cleveland ready to stab him in the back. “Tammany” is written on Kelly’s headband and the tiger medallion around his neck refers to the Tammany Tiger. Nast chose this derogatory stereotype of the “angry American Indian” because this racial stereotype was common during this period to demean both the person it was applied to and the Native American population, who had been brutally and systematically displaced since the 1830 Indian Removal Act. 

Nast shows a forlorn Benjamin Butler, who wanted the Democratic nomination, sitting on the ground in the shadows between Cleveland and Kelly.

This cartoon corresponded to Grover Cleveland’s nomination as the presidential candidate, following the Democratic National Convention in July of 1884. After Cleveland’s nomination, General Edward Bragg of Wisconsin memorably remarked that Cleveland's supporters “We love him most of all for the enemies he has made” as written across the top of the engraving. Bragg was referring to the political bosses of Tammany Hall and other political opponents of Cleveland. 

In this cartoon, Nast illustrates Cleveland standing tall, virtuous and honest, with his back to the political machine of New York City’s Tammany Hall. Nast shows him ready to take on and dismantle Tammany Hall politicians like Boss John Kelly, successor to William “Boss” Tweed. Nast depicts Boss Kelly as an angry Native American, standing behind Cleveland ready to stab him in the back. “Tammany” is written on Kelly’s headband and the tiger medallion around his neck refers to the Tammany Tiger. Nast chose this derogatory stereotype of the “angry American Indian” because this racial stereotype was common during this period to demean both the person it was applied to and the Native American population, who had been brutally and systematically displaced since the 1830 Indian Removal Act. Nast shows a forlorn Benjamin Butler, who wanted the Democratic nomination, sitting on the ground in the shadows between Cleveland and Kelly.

1. An independent Victory.jpg

An Independent Victory

The ghost of a jailed William "Boss" Tweed looks at James G. Blaine, the Republican opponent of the Democratic Grover Cleveland, and wishes he was as big of a “Boss” as Blaine. Perhaps if he had the support and endorsements, Tweed could have run for president.

Nast implies that Blaine is as politically corrupt as Tweed, who Nast relentlessly worked to bring down in the 1870s. Nast's audience knew about Tweed would understand the implication Nast is making in this image.

Linking these two men was an attack by Nast on Blaine. Blaine sits, looking at Tweed as if staring into a mirror. Blaine continues Tweed's dishonest ways and was endorsed by lawyer, Robert Ingersoll. Ingersoll was infamous in Nast’s eyes for defending corrupt politicians and businesspeople. Nast would attack James Blaine in many of the campaign’s political cartoons because of Blaine’s connections to railroad company scandals. 

Do you think it is effective to associate a politician you believe is corrupt with an infamous corrupt politician?

The ghost of a jailed Boss Tweed looks at James G. Blaine, the Republican opponent of the Democratic Grover Cleveland, and wishes he was as big of a “Boss” as Blaine. Perhaps if he had the support and endorsements, Tweed could have run for president. Nast implies that Blaine is as politically corrupt as Tweed, who Nast relentlessly worked to bring down in the 1870s. 

Linking these two men was an attack by Nast on Blaine. Blaine sits, looking at Tweed as if staring into a mirror. Blaine continues Tweed's dishonest ways and was endorsed by lawyer, Robert Ingersoll. Ingersoll was infamous in Nast’s eyes for defending corrupt politicians and businesspeople. Nast would attack James Blaine in many of the campaign’s political cartoons because of Blaine’s connections to railroad company scandals. 


3. Grave Regrets.jpg

Grave Regrets

Nast created this image in 1884 to celebrate Grover Cleveland’s (1837-1908) Presidential victory over James G. Blaine (1830-1893). 

The figure of Columbia gestures to a sign that describes what it will mean to have Cleveland as President. Nast used Columbia, the female figure, to represent the moral conscience of the United States. To the artist, Cleveland’s victory meant a triumph of honest and efficient government, which would perpetuate these ethical qualities with the application of Civil Service reform. Nast invokes the figure of Columbia to endorse Cleveland and the principles of honor and freedom. 

Nast created this image in 1884 to celebrate Grover Cleveland’s (1837-1908) Presidential victory over James G. Blaine (1830-1893). The figure of Columbia gestures to a sign that describes what it will mean to have Cleveland as President. To the artist, Cleveland’s victory meant a triumph of honest and efficient government, which would perpetuate these ethical qualities with the application of Civil Service reform. Nast invokes the figure of Columbia to endorse Cleveland and the principles of honor and freedom.

4. What it Means.jpg

What It Means

The caption “Shake heartily, boys!” is attributed to Democrat President-elect Grover Cleveland who Nast pictures encouraging an African American man and white Southern man in an attempt at reconciliation. The two shake hands in the hope of better race relations in the South. This did not come to fruition as discrimination and segregation continued. 

5. One of the First Fruits of the Victory.jpg

One of the First-Fruits of The Victory

Nast portrays President-elect Grover Cleveland as a strong political force. He holds a club to fight off the approaching Democratic Tiger. Cleveland wears the skin of a tiger, symbolizing the taking down of Tammany Hall. Nast had used the tiger symbol for Tammany Hall before and his audience would recognize it.

Cleveland stands ready to hit the approaching tiger with a club labeled “Independent” underscoring his position as not beholden to the Democratic pollical machine. The caption reads:

“Ability and zeal in the service will be the measures of usefulness. The rules of the Civil Service Commission will govern all minor appointments.”- Grover Cleveland. 

One of Cleveland’s campaign promises was to appoint people to office on merit and not political affiliation. Nast wants Cleveland to hold true to this promise of Civil Service reform. 

What imagery does Nast use to show Cleveland is a strong political force?

Nast portrays President-elect Grover Cleveland as a strong political force. He holds a club to fight off the approaching Democratic Tiger. Cleveland wears the skin of a tiger, symbolizing the taking down of Tammany Hall. He stands ready to hit the approaching tiger with a club labeled “Independent” underscoring his position as not beholden to the Democratic pollical machine. The caption reads:

“Ability and zeal in the service will be the measures of usefulness. The rules of the Civil Service Commission will govern all minor appointments.”- Grover Cleveland. 

One of Cleveland’s campaign promises was to appoint people to office on merit and not political affiliation. Nast wants Cleveland to hold true to this promise of Civil Service reform. 


6. Beware! For He is Very Hungry and Very Thirsty.jpg

Beware! For He Is Very Hungry and Very Thirsty

This image may be viewed as the passing of the torch from Republican Chester A. Arthur to the new President, Grover Cleveland, two presidents whom Nast admired. As Chester A. Arthur leaves his term in the White House, Grover Cleveland takes over the presidency. Columbia is seen between the presidents linking the two men with her virtue and moral strength. Both men were champions of Civil Service reform and battled against corrupt politicians. 

Cleveland had a high level of respect for Arthur because they shared many moral and political philosophies and goals. Arthur passed a bill at the end of his term which appropriated nearly $2 million to build the Navy. Cleveland expanded and increased this military spending program. Nast, since his coverage of the Garibaldi campaign to unite Southern Italy (1860) and his work for the Union during the Civil War (1861-1865), was in favor of paying the military well and taking care of the people who served the United States. 

This image may be viewed as the passing of the torch from Chester A. Arthur to the new President, Grover Cleveland, two presidents whom Nast admired. As Chester A. Arthur leaves his term in the White House, Grover Cleveland takes over the presidency. Columbia is seen between the presidents linking the two men with her virtue and moral strength. Both men were champions of Civil Service reform and battled against corrupt politicians.

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Standards for Thomas Nast Illustrates Cleveland's First Campaign- 1884

College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework

National Core Arts Standards