Currier and Ives published the cartoon entitled “The True Issue or “That’s What’s the Matter” during the presidential election cycle of 1864. The publishers were known as not being particularly aligned with any party during Presidential elections. [1] This particular cartoon portrays Democratic candidate George McClellan grasping incumbent President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln and Confederate States President, Jefferson Davis by the lapels in what appears to be an effort on the part of McClelland to stop the tearing apart of the nation represented by the map. Lincoln is as resolute in his position of “No peace without abolition” as Davis is in his position of “No peace without separation.” Notice the ragged pant legs of Davis characterizing the view that the plight of the South was facing desperate times. The cartoon portrays McClelland as the candidate who can solve the problem and bring preservation to the union as supported by his position “The Union must be preserved at all hazards.” The title of the Cartoon suggested that a broader solution to the conflict was needed than was being offered by Lincoln and Davis and supported the platform of the democratic challenger McClelland as the best solution.[2]
During the months leading up to the election of 1864, the final outcome of the war was still in doubt and Lincoln was still under fire for his efforts to prosecute the war. The Democratic Convention was significantly influenced by the peace wing of the party which was recommending an immediate cessation of hostilities with the South and a negotiated peace. After rejecting two of the candidates that specifically endorsed the peace platform, the Democrats, surprisingly settled on George B. McClellan as their nominee. McClellan supported a more aggressive and effective prosecution of the war effort, which is interesting considering the timidity with which he led the Army of the Potomac.[3]
The outcome of the election of 1864 was far from “in the bag” for Lincoln when the Republic convention was held. [4] As late as August 23, 1864 only two and half months prior to the election, it was considered a high probability that Lincoln would not be reelected. Sherman’s capture of Atlanta in September provided the boost Lincoln needed, demonstrated the inevitability of his war policy and lead him to a resounding victory in the November elections.[5]
[1]Harpweek.com, “American Political Prints, 1766-1876,” accessed April 03, 2012, http://loc.harpweek.com/8Communication/Introduction/Introduction.htm
[2]Harpweek.com, “American Political Prints, 1766-1876,” accessed April 03, 2012, http://loc.harpweek.com/LCPoliticalCartoons/DisplayCartoonMedium.asp?MaxID=44&UniqueID=40&Year=1864&YearMark=1864
[3] Harpweek.com, The Presidential Elections, 1860-1912, accessed April 03, 2012, http://elections.harpweek.com/1864/Events-1864.htm
[4] Ibid
[5] Encyclopædia Britannica Online, s. v. "United States presidential election of 1864," accessed April 03, 2012, http://www.britannica.com.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/EBchecked/topic/1774742/United-States-presidential-election-of-1864.
Joe,
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the additional history related to this cartoon. We chose the same cartoon. One thing that I was unclear in my assessment was in regards to Davis' statement "No peace without separation." Do you think the intent was to portray the idea of state sovereignty in determining pro/antislavery states going westward or the complete separation of the South as a separate country?
It seems that the "No peace without separation" means that Davis was insistent on the right of states to leave the Union. His position is meant to seem extreme, as is Lincoln's, with only McClellan able to moderate and suggest a "reasonable" compromise.
DeleteI agree David, This is clearly a McClellan supporter trying to cast him as presidential and making Lincoln and Davis look like a couple of squabbling schoolboys. It is interesting that Lincoln's conduct of the war seem to be portrayed as a necessity to bring about abolition, while McClellan identifies with the glorious purpose of saving the Union at all cost.
DeleteI also appreciated the historical background you provided for the cartoon. It is interesting that the cartoonist decided to portray the race between McClellan and Lincoln as part of a three way struggle, positioning McClellan in the center as a moderate and Lincoln on one extreme. This cartoon contrasts strongly with the one shown in the lecture that portrays McClellan as a weak-kneed dove ready to essentially surrender to Jefferson Davis.
ReplyDeleteDavid, I am inclined to agree with you regarding the "no peace without separation" to mean the right of states to leave the union. I also like your statement regarding the three-way struggle portrayed in the cartoon. Ultimately, while Davis was a nemesis of sorts, he was not Lincoln's opposition in the election. But with the title of the cartoon being "The True Issue or 'that's what's the matter", I believe the cartoonist is portraying the root of the country's issues, rather than a representation of the election itself. Either way, well done in the contrast of this cartoon and the cartoon from the lecture.
ReplyDeleteI think it's actually pretty common for political cartoonists and actually a fair amount of political commentators to have neutral personal political views because I believe that gives them the advantage of mocking any politician that does something the public doesn't like. The problem then is each party has radicals who are fiercely against the opposing candidates or Presidents. When Bush Jr. was President there was massive opposition from the left wing and with Obama as President there is massive opposition from the right. Being neutral is something I think that takes a lot especially in this day and age.
ReplyDelete