|
|
|
|
|
|
Republican Nomination |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Uncle Sam's Valentines" |
|
|
Cartoonist: C. S. Reinhart |
|
Source: Harper's Weekly |
|
Date:
February 26, 1876, p. 172
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Click to see a large version of this cartoon |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Complete HarpWeek Explanation:
This set of Valentine's Day cartoons share politics as a common theme
(counter-clockwise from upper-left): international recognition of the United
States centennial; anti-Reconstruction violence; Catholicism and public schools;
and the presidential campaign. In the latter (upper-right), Brother Jonathan (a
precursor to Uncle Sam) hunts for an acceptable Republican nominee now that
President Grant's third-term duck is dead. He finds four good candidates (l-r):
Senator Roscoe Conkling of New York; Senator John Sherman of Ohio (or his
brother General William Sherman); former Speaker of the House James Blaine of
Maine; and Governor Rutherford Hayes of Ohio. The term "Hobson's choice" derives from British innkeeper Tobias
Hobson who kept a stable of fine horses, each a good choice for his customers to
ride. Customers were obliged, however, to choose the one nearest the stable-door
so that all would be equally well served. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|