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Greeley's Campaign Falters |
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"The Pirates,’ Under False Colors” |
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Cartoonist: Thomas Nast |
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Source: Harper's Weekly |
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Date:
November 9, 1872, pp. 872-873
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Click to see a large version of this cartoon |
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Complete HarpWeek Explanation:
This cartoon was Thomas Nast's final shot before
the 1872 presidential election on November 5. It presents the Greeley coalition
of Liberal Republicans and Democrats as pirates futilely attempting to overtake
the Republican Ship of State. The latter flies the Stars and Stripes, labeled
"U.S. Grant," with Uncle Sam and possibly Columbia aboard. The
stealthy crew of partisan cutthroats lies low prior to making their move, while
the vessel appears to be under the nominal direction of candidate Greeley, with
"N.Y. Tribune" speaking-trumpet and booklet "What I Know About
Shifting." First-mate Whitelaw Reid plays a violin labeled "This Is
Not An Organ," as he stands tiptoe atop a barrel of "Gun Powder
Newspaper Lies" which seems likely to explode. The "False Colors"
of the title are listed on the sail over Reid's fiddle: "Journalism,"
"Love," "Peace," "Reconciliation,"
"Christianity," and "Reform." Nast's composition is a
faithful and witty parody of "Le Bateau Pirate" (1851), a painting by
the French artist August François Biard. |
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