An Independent Victory
Description
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.
Object Information
Date Created:
July 19, 1884
Local ID:
TN2011.26
Collection:
Collection of Macculloch Hall Historical Museum
Citation:
Thomas Nast (1840-1902), "An Independent Victory", Harper's Weekly, July 19, 1884, TN2011.26
Creator(s):
Thomas Nast
Classification:
Engraving
Rights:
Public Domain
