Campaign Booklet, "Farmer of Chappaqua Songster"

Greeley, Horace · 1872

Horace Greeley was, in the 1850’s and 1860s, the most influential editor in America. Through his newspaper, the New York Tribune, Greeley powerfully argued for a progressive vision of an expansive, equitable, anti-slavery nation. In 1872 he ran for president as the Democratic nominee. It was an unusual choice – Greeley had spent a career attacking the Democratic party and disagreed with much of its platform. The party, however, was in disarray and Greeley stepped forward. He was also the nominee of the new, reformist Liberal Republican movement. He lost, ultimately, to Ulysses S. Grant, winning just 44% of the popular vote and 66 electoral votes. He died just a few weeks later.