Ribbon, Grover Cleveland and Thomas Hendricks, 1884

Unknown artist

Grover Cleveland’s 1884 presidential campaign was considered one of the ugliest in American history. Cleveland accused his Republican party rival, James G. Blaine, of financial corruption, while Blaine’s supporters focused on Cleveland’s sexual affair and son born out-of-wedlock, a fact he did not deny. Many viewed the tough fight as a low-point in the life of the democracy. In the end, Cleveland achieved a narrow victory, winning the crucial electors from the New York state by barely 1,000 votes. His victory made him the first Democrat to win the office in 28 years.