If you ask me why I collect political Americana, I would tell you it's because of my interest in American politics – the good, bad, the ugly, the hoopla – the unique quadrennial insanity and excitement of the American experience known as a presidential campaign.
If you ask me what I collect, I would tell you it's items that tell a story, that capture some historical or political moment in time – that little pinback button that brings to life a presidential event or a political sentiment, that ribbon or ticket or invitation that sends us back in time to an event – as if we were there.
Such is the case with this unassuming ribbon badge I found last year. Grant had lost the Republican presidential nomination to James Garfield in and found himself touring the country to stump for Republican candidates in 1880. The New York Times headline of October 17, 1880, read: GEN. GRANT IN HARTFORD WELCOMED WITH PROCESSIONS, SPEECHES, AND FIRE-WORKS.
After some research, and what piqued my interest, was that the former President was introduced by, among others, Samuel Clemens. An excerpt of the introduction, riddled with Clemens' inimitable humor, follows:
“I am deputized to welcome you to the sincere and cordial hospitalities of Hartford. At first it was proposed to have only one speaker to welcome you, but this was changed because it was feared that, considering the shortness of the crop of speeches this year, if anything occurred to prevent that speaker from delivering his speech you would feel disappointed. By years of colossal labor and colossal achievement, you at last beat down a gigantic rebellion and saved your country from destruction. Then the country commanded you to take the helm of State. By this present fatiguing progress through the land you are mightily contributing toward saving your country once more, this time from dishonor and shame and from commercial disaster. Your country loves you. Your country is proud of you. Your country is grateful to you. Her applauses which have been thundering in your ears all these weeks and months, will never cease while the flag you saved continues to wave. Your country stands ready from this day forth to testify her measureless love and pride and gratitude toward you in every conceivable inexpensive way. Welcome to Hartford, great soldier, honored statesman, unselfish citizen.”
Grant humbly responded:
“I am very proud of the welcomes that I have received at the hands of my fellow citizens from San Francisco to Boston...I recognize the generosity of the American people; and what they have given me is more valued than gold or silver. No amount of the latter could compensate for the courtesy and kind feeling with which I have everywhere been received. I feel you have given testimony to that today, and for that I thank you one and all.”
The New York Times article went on to describe the scene after the speeches:
“General Grant and party were escorted through the city by a procession composed of 2,000 or more veterans...and nearly 3,000 members of the Republican campaign clubs of Hartford and the surrounding towns. Subsequently there was a grand torch-light parade, illuminations, and decorations, and in a blaze of fire-works, electric lights and torches, and the cheers of thousands of people...”
Who knows – maybe this is the very badge that Mark Twain wore at the event? Ok, that's probably a stretch. But this is just one example of a political artifact that brings an event to life and, as collectors, offers one unique glimpse into the American political experience.
