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The Democratic National Convention |
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| “What H. G. Knows about Thraeshing” |
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Source: Harper’s Weekly |
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Date:
July 13, 1872, p. 545
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Click to see
the previous version of this cartoon |
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Complete HarpWeek Explanation:
This shocking cartoon appeared on the cover of Harper’s Weekly
(published July 3) less than a week before the Democratic National Convention
began. The ostensible meaning is the conflict between Horace Greeley’s former
harsh words of condemnation against the Democratic Party (which appear on the
shackled man’s back) and his quest for their presidential nomination. The
imagery, however, is clearly intended to convey an additional message: that
Greeley has forsaken his former abolitionist role for that of the slave master.
Like a slaveowner punishing his chattel, the candidate strikes the Tribune
cat-o-nine-tails (lash) against the bare back of a Democrat, who wears a prison
uniform. The man’s cropped hair and the shading on his skin give the impression
that he is black, while the prominent placement of “Blackleg” (i.e., swindler)
on his shoulder may also be meant to suggest his skin color. This interpretation
is reinforced by the context of the entire scene: a whipping (foreground) and
the branding of other Democrats from “The Slave Pen” (background), practices
used against slaves in the American South. The irregular spelling of the verb
in the title—“thraeshing”—is an amalgam of references to Greeley’s status as a
gentleman farmer (i.e., threshing) and to whipping (i.e., thrashing) someone. |
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Background: 1859 - 1871
