In "The Palace of Tears" Nast conveys his dismay with the failed promises of Reconstruction by attacking President Andrew Johnson’s pro-South policy at the Union Convention of 1866. Nast illustrates that the convention far from a union, was rather a sellout to Southern demands during Reconstruction. Question to consider: How do political cartoons inform current events?

President Andrew Johnson is represented as a statue dressed in the royal garb of a king. The laurels of victory crown him to show that the Union won the Civil War. 

He stands, wobbly-kneed, above the words "My Policy", referencing his plans for Reconstruction that differed from President Abraham Lincoln. 

In his hand is an olive branch, symbolizing peace. 

How do you think Thomas Nast felt about President Andrew Johnson? 

Photo Credit: Hon. Andrew Johnson. , None. [Between 1860 and 1875] Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2017893787/.

Photo Credit: Brady's National Photographic Portrait Galleries, photographer. Major General Darius Nash Couch of 7th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment and U.S. Volunteers Infantry Regiment in uniform / published by E. Anthony, 501 Broadway, New York from photographic negative in Brady's National Portrait Gallery. United States, None. [New york: published by e. anthony, 501 broadway, new york from photographic negative in brady's national portrait gallery, between 1861 and 1865] Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2021630481/.

Historically, an upside-down American flag signaled distress. 

The flag to the right is the original flag of the Confederate States. It is not upside down, but it is backward.  The flag with the cross on it that is seen today was not the original flag of the Confederacy. It was a battle flag. 

Why do you think Nast included a signal of distress in this painting?

Nast presented  The Grand Caricaturama from 1867-1868. The events depicted in this painting, "The Palace of Tears", happened in August 1866.

The events of the convention were current events at the time Nast painted this panel. 

How do you think that informed his decisions to make the artistic choices he did? How do you think that impacted how audiences understood the painting?

The two central figures in the painting are Governor James Orr of South Carolina and General Darius Couch of Massachusetts. 

They walked into the convention, arm in arm, to represent the reconciliation of the North and South. Both men are depicted crying. 

South Carolina is shown as a crocodile and Massachusetts is shown as a copperhead. What could that tell you about the tears both men are shedding? 

Photo Credit: Hon. James L. Orr. , None. [Between 1855 and 1865] Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2017897739/.

Nast painted Clement Vallandigham (1820-1871), a pro-Southern Peace Democrat, with the body of a copperhead snake. During the Civil War, Union supporters referred to Pro-southern Peace Democrats as “Copperheads” for scheming to undermine the North’s war effort. 

Photo Credit: Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, LC-DIG-cwpbh-01194 

 During the Civil War, Union supporters referred to Pro-southern Peace Democrats as “Copperheads” for scheming to undermine the North’s war effort. 

Copperheads are a type of snake. When we call someone a "snake" today, what does that mean about that person?

 Behind Vallandingham, Nast illustrates a looming Congressman Fernando Wood, whom he depicts as a winged serpent. Nast frames Wood’s body with large red and black wings, and illustrates a coiled serpent’s tail visible between the figure’s legs. As mayor of New York City before the Civil War, Wood favored the city’s secession from the Union for economic reasons.

Photo Credit: Hon. Fernando Wood. , None. [Between 1860 and 1875] Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2017894092/.

Wisconsin Senator, James R. Doolittle, president of the convention, holds the keys to the locks on the mouths of certain delegates. 

What do the locks on delegates' mouths say about their ability to speak?

Photo Credit: Hon. James Rood Doolittle. , None. [Between 1860 and 1875] Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2017893879/.

Notice the crocodiles throughout the painting crying. Have you heard the phrase crocodile tears?

Crocodile tears are tears or expressions of emotion that are insincere. 

The phrase comes from an ancient myth that crocodiles cried when eating their victims.

New York Times Editor Henry Raymond stands next to President Andrew Johnson.

Photo Credit: Hon. Henry Jarvis Raymond of N.Y. , None. [Between 1855 and 1865] Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2017895652/.

Thurlow Weed, a politician and journalist, is pushing Vallandigham and Wood out of the frame. 

Do you think Weed supports President Johnson or is sympathetic to the copperheads?

Photo Credit: Anthony, Edward, Contributor, and Mathew B Brady. Thurlow Weed. United States of America New York, 1861. [New York: Edward Anthony, to 1876] Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2021669475/.

Standards for The Palace of Tears