Butler, Benjamin F. (Benjamin Franklin), 1818-1893

Dalrymple, Louis, 1866-1905

Creation Date

1895-04-10

Creator(s)

The Democratic smithy – odd shoes for the mule

In the interior of a blacksmith’s shop, Samuel Randall, Abram Hewitt, and Benjamin Butler are putting oversized shoes labeled “Protection, Free Trade, [and] Incidental Tariff” on a mule labeled “Democracy.” Henry Watterson works on a shoe labeled “Western Policy” and Thomas Bayard reaches for a shoe labeled “Elastic Policy.” In the right foreground, Charles A. Dana is cooling rods labeled “MacDonald Boom, Hancock, Grace, Hendricks, [and] Tilden.” At the furnace are Grover Cleveland, Lucius Q. C. Lamar, and “Robbinson” with irons labeled “Business Principles, Southern Policy, Tariff for Rev. [and] Dodge Policy” in the fire. In the background on the right are John Kelly, Joseph Pulitzer, and Oswald Ottendorfer operating the “Dem. Press Bellows” for the “N.Y. World, N.Y. Star, [and] Staatszeitung.” Puck sits on top of a wall in the upper left, next to a notice that states “Tariff Tinkering Done Here.”

Collection

Creation Date

1883-06-20

Creator(s)

Puck’s coaching parade, 1883

Eight stagecoaches stand in a procession, each jammed with passengers. Riding in the first coach, labeled “Republican Harmony Coach,” are Chester Alan Arthur, Roscoe Conkling, James Gillespie Blaine, John Alexander Logan, Ulysses S. Grant, J. D. Cameron, George William Curtis, John Sherman, John F. Miller(?) and an unidentified man. Riding in the second coach, labeled “Dem. Love Feast Coach” and “One Republican thrown in to please Mr. Dana,” are Charles A. Dana, Benjamin F. Butler, Edward Cooper, Rutherford B. Hayes, Franklin Edson, Samuel J. Tilden, John Kelly, and Hubert O. Thompson. Riding in the third coach, labeled “Heavy Hack,” are Cardinal John McCloskey, Robert Green Ingersoll, “Jacobs, Potter, Storrs,” Howard Crosby, Henry Ward Beecher, and Theodore Tilton. Riding in the fourth coach, labeled “Monopoly,” are William H. Vanderbilt, Russell Sage, Cyrus W. Field, Jay Gould, and a box labeled Henry Clay. Riding in the fifth coach, labeled “Thespis,” are Lester Wallack, Rose Coghlan, Marie Geistinger, “T.P., J.E. Pearson, Levy,” Dion Boucicault, Edward Harrigan, and Tony Hart. The sixth coach is labeled “Homeopathy”; the seventh coach is labeled “Allopathy”; and the eighth coach is labeled “The Bruiser.” The horses pulling this last coach wear boxing gloves. Caption: [If this takes, we will have another one next year.]

Collection

Creation Date

1883-06-13

Creator(s)

Decoration-day, 1883

A large group of politicians and others stand in a cemetery on Memorial Day. Each seems to be grieving at gravestones that bear special messages. Pope Leo XIII stands in front of a stone that states “Here lies my Irish Influence.” Ulysses S. Grant places a wreath labeled “Tho’ Gone Not Forgotten” at a monument that states “Here Lies the Third Term 1880.” Stephen Dorsey and Thomas Brady, arm in arm, stand in front of a stone that states “[Star] Route Here Lies Our Hope of Acquittal.” James G. Blaine places a wreath on a stone that states “[He]re Lies My South American Policy.” Samuel J. Tilden and Charles A. Dana stand in front of a stone that states “Tilden Boom 1876 Rest in Peace.” Clustered around Grant are Roscoe Conkling holding a tattered military standard labeled “Stalwart Battle Flag 1880,” J. D. Cameron on crutches labeled “1882,” John A. Logan as a drummer with number “306” on his drum strap, and Thomas Collier Platt as a little girl. Also grouped before a stone that states “Here Lies Democratic Consistency on the Tariff” are Benjamin F. Butler, Winfield Scott Hancock, Rutherford B. Hayes, and Stephen B. Elkins. Others depicted are Simon Cameron, John Kelly, Jay Gould, George W. Childs, George M. Robeson, David Davis, Robert Ingersoll, Jeremiah O’Donovan Rossa, and a man identified as “Campbell.” Caption: They deck with flowers, this Day of Decoration, full many a blighted hope and reputation.

Collection

Creation Date

1883-05-30

Creator(s)

Incorrigible

Benjamin F. Butler, as Topsy from Uncle Tom’s Cabin, stands in front of an old woman labeled “Dem.” who is holding a switch labeled “Discipline” behind her back. In the background, on the floor, are broken dishes labeled “Corruption, Spoils System, The Machine, [and] Old Notions,” also a framed portrait of Andrew Jackson labeled “Jacksonian Principles,” and over a dresser is a cracked mirror labeled “Old Reflections on B.B.” The bottom of one of Topsy’s shoes is labeled “Independence.” Caption: Topsy “I ‘spect you can’t do nuffin’ with me, Miss – I’se used to whippin’. Golly! I’se so wicked!!”

Collection

Creation Date

1883-05-23

Creator(s)

Our national dog-show

At a dog show, a variety of breeds are competing. In the upper left corner, labeled the “Judges’ Stand,” are several newspaper editors, including James Gordon Bennett, Whitelaw Reid, Murat Halstead, Charles A. Dana, Henry Watterson, and George W. Curtis. They are judging two dogs, Winfield Scott Hancock and Samuel J. Tilden. Other dogs depicted are “Sesquipedalian Sleuth Hound Evarts, Mulligan Mongrel, Rossa Runt – take care dangerous, Lap Dogs Monopoly Breed”, also Chester A. Arthur, William Mahone, Thomas Collier Platt, Roscoe Conkling, James D. Cameron, John Logan, “Pointer Bayard, Tammany Tarrier, House Dog Edson, Dachshund, Toby Dog, Poodle, Water-dog,” David Davis, U.S. Grant, “Tewksbury Ratter, Hoar-Hound, Hybrid Hayes” and at center, “Puck’s entry Cleveland [and] S. Low.”

Collection

Creation Date

1883-05-09

Creator(s)

A little private mutual admiration scheme, – Joss Ben and his only priest, Sun-Sun

Benjamin F. Butler appears as a Chinese man sitting on a pedestal next to a pillar on the left that states “A Goodman Weighing 250 lbs.” and a paper lantern labeled “It Shines Only for US” on the right. In front of the pedestal is Charles A. Dana, also as a Chinese man, burning papers that state “Gen. Butler would not take fees from poor widows; he prefers monopolists’ fees,” “Anecdotes of Butler’s kind heart,” “Butler’s popularity,” “Butler’s statesmanship,” and “Butler’s praises.” A notice hanging on the wall on the right has been crossed out. It was published in the “New York Sun, September 17th, 1878,” and refers to Butler’s jump from the Democratic Party.

Collection

Creation Date

1884-08-27

Creator(s)

The magnetic bunco-steerer and his confederate

At left, on the sidewalk outside a gambling room labeled “Monopoly Club Shades,” James G. Blaine and Benjamin F. Butler corner a “Workingman” and try to steer him into the gaming room. On the right, sitting around a table with playing cards, are Russell Sage, William Walter Phelps, George M. Robeson, Jay Gould, and John Roach, and standing is Cyrus W. Field. On a shelf is a bust of William H. Vanderbilt beneath a sign that states “The Public Be D–” and notices that state “No Straight Flushes in this House” and “This is a Bluff Game – No Limit.” On either side of the bust are boxes of “Brag Chips” and “Bluster Cards.” Caption: Hungry Ben – “How are you, Mr. Workingman? What! – don’t you remember me? Why, I’m your old friend! Say – just you let me put you onto a nice little scheme-” Workingman “No, sirree! I’ve been there before.”

Collection

Creation Date

1884-08-20

Creator(s)

The new Democratic eucalyptus tree purifies a political morass

Grover Cleveland is pictured as a large tree labeled “Eucalyptus Clevelandus” with roots labeled “Honor” and “Honesty,” and branches that spread over swamp land from which rise gaseous ghosts labeled “Stupidity, K. K. K., Bourbonism, Butlerism, Dynamiter, Kellyism, Ward Bossism, [and] Spoils System.” In the background is a large building labeled “Democratic Head-Quarters.” Caption: The eucalyptus tree has recently been introduced into marshy and malarious regions, where it acts as a purifier of the atmosphere, driving away the deadly miasmatic vapors.–Encyclopaedia.

Collection

Keppler, Joseph Ferdinand, 1838-1894

Creation Date

1884-08-27

Creator(s)

Spoiling their slide

Benjamin F. Butler spreads ashes labeled “Censure, Exposure, Desire for Reform, [and] Criticism” on a slide in the snow labeled “Slide of Public Mismanagement” to the dismay of a group of children labeled “Factory Employee, Sup’t. of Charitable Institution, Prison Supt., Army Snob, Matron of Infant Asylum, Manager of Insane Asylum, [and] Superfluous Gov’t. Employee” on “Beacon Hill.”

Collection

Creation Date

1883-01-17

Creator(s)

Overtraining young horses

A horse labeled “Butler’s Policy” ridden by Benjamin F. Butler is kicking up its rear legs, startling a horse labeled “Cleveland’s Policy” ridden by Grover Cleveland at the “Presidential Race-Course” where “Horses [are] Trained for Presidential Races.” The “Gubernatorial Training Stables” are at far left. Gathered beneath a large tree on the right, observing, are John Logan, Roscoe Conkling, James Gillespie Blaine, John Sherman, David Davis, Winfield Scott Hancock, Ulysses S. Grant, Schuyler Colfax, and Samuel J. Tilden. Caption: Dismounted Jockeys – The horses look well enough now; but they began training too early; and will break down long before the race!

Collection

Creation Date

1883-01-31

Creator(s)

Let the political army have new drums also!

Ulysses S. Grant is leading his “Grant Boom” band comprised of Samuel J. Tilden, Lucius Q. C. Lamar, Roscoe Conkling, William W. Phelps, David Davis, James D. Cameron, John Sherman, James G. Blaine, John Kelly, Winfield Scott Hancock, William Mahone, and John Logan. Most carry drums that are broken or in disrepair. Across the street, in front of the “Political Armory,” Puck is operating a makeshift stand, issuing “New Drums for Old Drums.” Benjamin F. Butler kicks away his old drum labeled “Butlers Old Policies” and is getting a new drum labeled “Civil Service Reform.” Brooklyn Mayor Seth Low and Grover Cleveland are trying out new drums labeled “Independence” and “Civil Service Reform.” Other new drums are labeled “Tariff Reform, Political Honesty, Anti-Monopoly, Honesty, [and] For the People.” Caption: The U.S. Army is to have new drums. In their day the old drums did good service. Now they must retire and give place to better drums. Phila. Record.

Collection

Creation Date

1883-02-14

Creator(s)

The only Democratic presidential candidate who stands a chance of election in 1884

A man has hooks for hands and has labels over his ears and mouth that state “Deaf” and “Dumb.” Hanging from one hook is a paper that states “Elected.” Drowning in paper in the background are Benjamin Butler with notes that state “Big Talk Butler, Big Promises Butler, I’m Going to Reform Everything, B.F.B., [and] The Government Belongs to its Friends,” Winfield Scott Hancock with notes that state “Foolish Letters” and “What I Know About the Tariff Question, Hancock,” and Samuel J. Tilden, holding a quill pen, with a note labeled “Cipher Dispatches.” Caption: One who can neither make foolish speeches, write foolish letters, nor listen to foolish counsel.

Collection

Creation Date

1883-01-24

Creator(s)

“Stop thief!”

Illustration, reminiscent of Thomas Nast’s cartoon of the same title published in Harper’s Weekly, October 7, 1871, hence “That trick is very stale”, shows a group of monopolists and Blaine supporters scattering on the street in response to the cry “Stop thief!” Joseph Keifer carries a sign that states “Beware of Cleveland the Monopolist” and Cyrus Field waves a sheet that states “Down with Cleveland the Monopolist.” Among the pursuers and those being pursued are William W. Phelps, Benjamin F. Butler carrying a bag of “Monopolist Fees”, Robert Ingersoll, Keifer, George M. Robeson, Whitelaw Reid throwing “Dust” in the eyes of workingmen, Alonzo Cornell, Field, James G. Blaine carrying a bag of “$ from Monopolists” and “R.R. Stocks,” Russell Sage, John Roach, and Jay Gould, as well as a dog with the face of John Kelly(?), and with a teapot labeled “Alliance with Monopolists” tied to its tail; all are determined to look like pursuers, instead of the object of the pursuit. Carl Schurz, dressed as a policeman, is standing on the sidewalk at far right. Two laborers are standing on the left, next to a sign that announces “Friend of the Workingman Meeting at Monopoly Hall To Night – J. Gould, C. Field, R. Sage, Robeson.” Caption: Level-Headed Workingman – “Too thin! That trick is very stale. I guess we know a monopolist when we see him!”

Collection

Creation Date

1884-08-06

Creator(s)

They can not stop the wheel

John Kelly and Benjamin F. Butler struggle against a waterwheel labeled “Cleveland Boom” driven by rushing water from a trough labeled “Popular Enthusiasm” in a millrace outside a “Reform Mill.”

Collection

Creation Date

1884-07-23

Creator(s)

A flag the Independents will fight under

At the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois, the Puck figure for the “Independent” party stands on a raised platform, hoisting a flag that states “For President G. Cleveland” showing a portrait of Grover Cleveland, while a female figure labeled “Democratic Party” gestures toward the flag. In the foreground, Benjamin F. Butler, dressed as a clown, and John Kelly, dressed as a Native American, are crying. Extending from Butler’s pocket is a string of sausages labeled “Tammany’s Nomination, Women’s Suffrage Nomination, Tewkesbury Pauper Nomination, Convict Party Nomination, Greenback Nomination, [and] Butler’s Nomination.” Kelly is labeled “Tammany” and carries a peace pipe labeled “Grady.” In the background, the disappointed Tammany delegation has gathered up their signs and is departing. Caption: When party lifts a flag like this on high, small wonder clowns and demagogues should cry.

Collection

Keppler, Joseph Ferdinand, 1838-1894

Creation Date

1884-07-16

Creator(s)

Puck’s pyrotechnics – Fourth-of-July fireworks free to all

Print shows a fireworks display with Puck bowing on a stage in front of a “Fan Light” featuring the likenesses of William H. Vanderbilt, Russell Sage, Cyrus W. Field, and Jay Gould; on stage with Puck is a hand holding a smoldering torch which may represent Bartholdi’s hand and torch from the Statue of Liberty. On the left is a pagoda labeled “Puck Office” and on the right is a building labeled “Tammany Hall.” Among the fireworks are many faces of politicians and other prominent figures of the day, some labeled by type of firework, such as “Chicago Shower” – Arthur, Grant, Conkling, Logan and Cameron; “Tumbler” – Tilden; “Twister” – Schurz; “The Falling Tammany Star” – Kelly; “Bomb” – Davis; “Junk Whizzler” – Robeson; “Polar Rocket” – Bennett; “Buster” – Butler; and “Star Route Staggerer” – Dorsey. Others shown are James G. Blaine, Henry Ward Beecher, Elizabeth Tilton(?), Thomas De Witt Talmage, and Theodore Tilton.

Collection

Creation Date

1882-07-05

Creator(s)