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Grover Cleveland and James G. Blaine

Grover Cleveland and James G. Blaine
Artist
Unidentified Artist
Sitter
Stephen Grover Cleveland, 18 Mar 1837 - 24 Jun 1908
James Gillespie Blaine, 31 Jan 1830 - 27 Jan 1893
Date
1884
Type
Print
Medium
Chromolithograph on paper
Dimensions
Image: 30.5 × 47.6 cm (12 × 18 3/4")
Sheet: 35 × 51.6 cm (13 3/4 × 20 5/16")
Topic
Vehicle\Ship\Sailing ship
Imaginary
Exterior\Cityscape
Food
Symbols & Motifs\Flag\National\British
Home Furnishings\Furniture\Seating\Chair\Rocking chair
Symbols & Motifs\Banner
Cartoon
Cartoon\Political
Symbols & Motifs\Symbolic Figure\Uncle Sam
Architecture\Building\Factory
Equipment\Walking stick
Symbols & Motifs\Flag\National\United States
Stephen Grover Cleveland: Male
Stephen Grover Cleveland: Law and Crime\Lawyer
Stephen Grover Cleveland: Politics and Government\Governor\New York
Stephen Grover Cleveland: Law and Crime\Police\Sheriff
Stephen Grover Cleveland: Politics and Government\President of US
Stephen Grover Cleveland: Education and Scholarship\Administrator\University administrator\University trustee
Stephen Grover Cleveland: Politics and Government\Public official\Mayor\Buffalo, NY
James Gillespie Blaine: Male
James Gillespie Blaine: Politics and Government\Presidential candidate
James Gillespie Blaine: Politics and Government\US Congressman\Speaker of the House
James Gillespie Blaine: Journalism and Media\Newspaper editor
James Gillespie Blaine: Education and Scholarship\Educator\Teacher
James Gillespie Blaine: Politics and Government\Cabinet member\Secretary of State
James Gillespie Blaine: Politics and Government\US Senator\Maine
James Gillespie Blaine: Politics and Government\US Congressman\Maine
James Gillespie Blaine: Politics and Government\State Legislator\Maine
Portrait
Credit Line
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Milton and Ingrid Rose
Restrictions & Rights
CC0
Object number
NPG.96.137
Exhibition Label
This political cartoon was published during the 1884 presidential campaign by Jingo magazine, a short-lived periodical with an aggressively nationalistic, anti-British political agenda. On the left, the free trade policy endorsed by Democratic candidate Grover Cleveland is shown resulting in destitution, starvation, and unemployment. On the right, however, the protectionist policies advocated by Republican candidate James G. Blaine bring industry, plenty, and prosperity. In one scenario, John Bull (symbolizing Great Britain) dictates terms to Uncle Sam, while in the other, the power dynamic is reversed. The voter is offered a stark choice: “Which?”
That question took on new meaning after both Cleveland and Blaine became mired in scandal and their rival campaigns devolved into vicious mudslinging. Cleveland’s narrow victory over Blaine was itself tainted by accusations of voter fraud. As president, Cleveland remained steadfastly committed to the free trade policy on which he had campaigned, despite facing fierce oppositional headwinds.
Grover Cleveland 1837–1908 Nacido en Caldwell, Nueva Jersey James G. Blaine 1830–1893 Nacido en West Brownsville, Pensilvania Esta caricatura política se publicó durante la campaña presidencial de 1884 en Jingo, revista de corta duración con una agenda antibritánica y fuertemente nacionalista. A la izquierda, la política de libre comercio endosada por el candidato demócrata Grover Cleveland parece conducir a la miseria, el hambre y el desempleo. A la derecha, las políticas proteccionistas defendidas por el candidato republicano James G. Blaine traen industrias, abundancia y prosperidad. En un escenario, John Bull (símbolo de Gran Bretaña) impone condiciones al Tío Sam, mientras del otro lado la dinámica de poder se invierte. La pregunta es escueta: “¿Cuál?”.
Ese dilema adquirió nuevos matices cuando Cleveland y Blaine quedaron implicados en un escándalo y sus campañas degeneraron en feroces difamaciones de una y otra parte. Incluso la apretada victoria de Cleveland sobre Blaine estuvo manchada por alegaciones de fraude electoral. Como presidente, Cleveland siguió muy comprometido con la política de libre comercio en la que basó su campaña, a pesar de una fiera oposición.
Data Source
National Portrait Gallery
Exhibition
Out of Many: Portraits from 1600 to 1900
On View
NPG, East Gallery 141