Visit HarpWeek.com

   
 


 The Democratic "Chicago" Platform

 


 “Mighty Particular”
  Cartoonist:  Frank Bellew
  Source:  Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper
  Date:   October 1, 1864, p. 32

Click to see a large version of this cartoon...

Click to see a large version of this cartoon

Complete HarpWeek Explanation:
In this cartoon from Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, Democratic presidential nominee General George B. McClellan (left) expresses surprise to Clement Vallandigham (right) over the poor state of the party’s horse, a weak animal named “Peace.” Drafted at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, the party platform included an endorsement of a ceasefire and negotiated settlement of the Civil War. McClellan repudiated the peace plank and declared that he would administer the war more effectively than President Abraham Lincoln, his Republican opponent. Vallandigham was a former Democratic congressman who had been charged with treason and exiled to the Confederacy. He returned to Ohio in June 1864 and began speaking out against the war, but was ignored by Union officials. He was instrumental in the passage of the peace plank and campaigned for McClellan and other Democratic candidates.

 

 

 

 
 

 

     
 

 

 
     
 

 

 
     
 

 

 

Website design © 2001-2008 HarpWeek, LLC
All Content © 1998-2008 HarpWeek, LLC
Please submit questions to webmaster@harpweek.com