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Reconstruction in Louisiana: The Two Governments of 1877: Home

Two Winners in Washington, and Louisiana Too

Republicans vs. Democrats. A contested election. Fear of a new Civil War. At the start of 1877, the United States was deeply divided over election results. At the federal level, neither presidential candidate had a clear victory. In Louisiana, both gubernatorial candidates claimed victory. Negotiators meeting in secret at the Wormley Hotel resolved both contested elections. The repercussions are still being felt.

The Presidential Election: Up for Grabs

A large campaign chart features the portraits of Democratic presidential candidate Samuel J. Tilden and running mate Thomas A. Hendricks and smaller medallion portraits. The candidates are shown in roundel bust portraits in decorative frames. Surrounding Tilden are laurel leaves, and surrounding Hendricks are oak leaves, traditional symbol of the Democrats. Below is a shield emblazoned with stars and stripes. The leaves join and encircle a small medallion portrait of George Washington. Above is a bald eagle holding arrows and olive branches and flanked by six American flags. Bust portraits of U.S. Presidents from George Washington to Ulysses S. Grant form an arc about the central vignette. Colored rays of light emanate from behind the eagle. The text below the image provides a wealth of information, including a list of previous U.S. Presidents, election results from 1796 to 1872, the electoral vote, the Democratic platform in 1876, short biographies of Tilden and Hendricks, a chart of popular votes in 1864, 1868, and 1868, and the population of the United States in 1870.Print shows Rutherford B. Hayes, facing right, and William A. Wheeler, facing left, bust portraits, with cameo portraits of U.S. presidents from George Washington to Ulysses S. Grant; includes text of the Republican platform, brief biographies of Hayes and Wheeler, and statistical data for past presidential elections. The candidates are shown in roundel bust portraits in decorative frames. Surrounding Hayes are laurel leaves, and surrounding Wheeler are oak leaves. Below is a shield emblazoned with stars and stripes. The leaves join and encircle a small medallion portrait of George Washington. Above is a bald eagle holding arrows and olive branches and flanked by six American flags. Bust portraits of U.S. Presidents from George Washington to Ulysses S. Grant form an arc about the central vignette. Colored rays of light emanate from behind the eagle. The text below the image provides a wealth of information, including a list of previous U.S. Presidents, election results from 1796 to 1872, the electoral vote.

from Library of Congress

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Francis Norton
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New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
504-310-2405

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