Campaign Themes
The "Bloody Shirt"
“Waving the bloody shirt” was a tactic commonly used by Republicans since the Civil War, in which they associated Democrats with the Confederate cause of slavery. Hayes’ strongest primary challenger was Senator James G. Blaine of Maine, who used the tactic as much as anyone. Though Hayes was formerly a Union general, he was not prone towards “waving the bloody shirt.” Nevertheless, he was encouraged by political advisors to do so to beat Blaine. One surrogate summed up Hayes’ strategy, saying, “A bloody shirt campaign with money and Ind.[Indiana] is safe for us”[1]. As in the Republican primary, the “bloody shirt” played a major role in the general election. Hayes generally refrained from using the tactic, but encouraged his new ally Blaine to, saying, “I hope you will make these topics prominent in your speeches”[2]. Hayes’ running mate William Wheeler, proclaimed, “Let your ballots protect the work so effectually done by your bayonets at Gettysburg”[3]. Hayes remarked about the “bloody shirt” tactic, “It does well”[4]. |
Reconstruction In Hayes’ letter accepting the nomination he took a conciliatory approach to the South, promising to “cherish their truest interests” and work to “wipe out forever the distinction between the North and South in our common country”. He explained, “It will be practicable to promote, by the influence of all legitimate agencies of the General Government, the efforts of the people of those [Southern] States, to obtain for themselves the blessings of honest and capable local government”[5]. This illustrates Hayes’ intention to bring about the end of Reconstruction. The Democratic platform adopted upon Tilden’s nomination reaffirmed their “devotion to the Constitution of the United States, with its amendments universally accepted as a final settlement of the controversies that engendered civil war”[6] While it upheld the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendment, the platform condemned the “rapacity of carpet-bag tyrannies.” On Reconstruction, Democrats resolved that “reform is necessary… by a peaceful civic revolution”[7]. |
Corruption Tilden had a strong record on rooting out corruption and thus, he argued that he could end the corruption of the Grant administration and replace it with honest leadership. In his role as chairman of the New York State Democratic Committee, Tilden brought down the “Tweed Ring,” the corrupt New York City Democratic political machine run by William Tweed. As Governor of New York, Tilden continued to reform government and eradicate corruption. Republicans, however, criticized Tilden’s close relationship with Tweed in the late 1860s while he was Chairman of the state’s Democratic committee [8]. Thomas Nast's cartoon, "Willie, We Have Missed You," is one such example. In writing, Tilden's ally Abram Hewitt implores "any gentleman" to find "a dishonest dollar" in Tilden's possession. Nast depicts Tweed shoving a $5,000 dollar check in Tilden's back pocket. |
[1] Reinhard H. Luthin, “Waving the Bloody Shirt: Northern Political Tactics in Post-Civil War Times,” The Georgia Review, 14:1 (Spring 1960). 67. [JSTOR]
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid, 68.
[4] Ibid, 67.
[5] Rutherford B. Hayes to the Committee of the Republican National Convention, July 8, 1876, Hayes accepts the Republican Party’s presidential nomination, Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center, https://www.rbhayes.org/hayes/1876-acceptance-speech/.
[6] 1876 Democratic Party Platform, The American Presidency Project, June 22, 1876, https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/1876-democratic-party-platform.
[7] Ibid.
[8] Mark D. Hirsch, “Samuel J. Tilden: The Story of a Lost Opportunity,” The American Historical Review, 56:4 (Jul. 1951), p. 790. [JSTOR]
Images:
[9] Thomas Nast. “The Same Snap - ‘Reform’ Slavery.” Illustration. Harper’s Weekly, December 30, 1876, https://elections.harpweek.com/09ver2controversy/cartoon-Medium.asp?UniqueID=5&Year=.
[10] Alfred R. Waud. “The Freedmen’s Bureau.” Illustration. Harper’s Weekly, July 25, 1868, https://www.harpweek.com/09Cartoon/RelatedCartoon.asp?Month=July&Date=25.
[11] Thomas Nast. “No Rest for the Wicked.” Illustration. Harper’s Weekly, December 2, 1876, https://elections.harpweek.com/09Ver2Controversy/Cartoon-Large.asp?UniqueID=1&Year=1876.
[12] Thomas Nast. "Willie, We Have Missed You." Illustration. Harper's Weekly, October 28, 1876, http://www.artoftheprint.com/artistpages/nast_thomas_william_tweed_1876.htm.