Details
Contributor Stephens, H. L. (Henry Louis), 1824-1882.
Title The meeting of the Friends. City Hall Park. [graphic].
Publisher [New York] : [publisher not identified]
Publisher N.Y. New York. 1863
Date [1863]
Physical Description 1 print : etching ; sheet 25 x 31 cm (19.5 x 12.25 in.)
Description Cartoon portraying a distorted version of events surrounding New York Governor Horatio Seymour's "My Friend's" speech during the Draft Riots of 1863 when several African Americans were killed by working-class rioters. Portrays Seymour on the steps of City Hall in front of a riotous mob composed primarily of armed Irish-Americans who march past the building for "The Tribune," an anti-Seymour newspaper. Supporting Seymour from behind are a fool with a cap inscribed "Express" (i.e., a Pro-Seymour newspaper), and former Mayor Fernando Wood and Tammany boss Peter B. Sweeny, both "Copperhead" Democrats who advocated peaceful settlement with the South and who believed Republican philanthropy favored African Americans at the expense of working-class whites. Seymour placates the mob announcing that he is their friend and that he has ordered the President to stop the draft. At his feet is an African American with a noose around his neck. A white man holds the severed head of an African American man, and several more African Americans are seen hanging from trees in the background.
Is referenced by Weitenkampf, p. 138
Reilly, 12
Notes Probably drawn by Henry L. Stephens.
Title from item.
Date inferred from content.
Place of publication supplied by Reilly.
Text printed below image: A friendly voice.—Governor, we want you to stay here. Horatio Seymour.—I am going to stay here, “My Friends.” Second Rioter.—Faith, and the Governor will stay by us. Horatio Seymour.—I am your “Friend,” and the “Friend” of your families. Third Rioter.—Arrah, Jemmy, and who said he cared about the “Dirty Nagurs”? Fourth Rioter.—How about the draft, Saymere? Governor.—I have ordered the President to stop the draft! Chorus.—Be Jabers, he’s a “Broth of a Boy.”
RVCDC
Description revised 2021.
Access points revised 2021.
Digitized by Alexander Street Press for Images of the American Civil War.
Part of digital collections catalog through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett, Governor, 2013-2014.
Subject Seymour, Horatio, 1810-1886 -- Caricatures and cartoons.
Sweeny, Peter B. -- Caricatures and cartoons.
Wood, Fernando, 1812-1881 -- Caricatures and cartoons.
African American men -- Caricatures and cartoons.
Crowds -- New York (State) -- New York.
Draft Riot, New York, N.Y., 1863.
Hate crimes.
Lynchings -- New York (State) -- New York.
Race relations -- New York (State) -- New York.
Racism in popular culture.
Violence -- New York (State) -- New York.
Working class -- New York (State) -- New York.
Geographic subject New York (N.Y.) -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865.
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865.
Genre Etchings -- 1860-1870.
Political cartoons -- 1860-1870.
Location Library Company of Philadelphia| Print Department| Political Cartoons - 1863-12 [P.2275.11]
Accession number P.2275.11