Carl Schurz—German-born senator, Civil War general, and Liberal Republican dissident—tips his top hat with theatrical contempt as he exits the Senate chamber, his coat stuffed with papers proclaiming constitutional government dead. A robed Columbia regards him coolly; signs beside her read Parole of Honor of Confederate Soldiers and First Allegiance: Rome or U.S., Nast's shorthand for Schurz's alliances with ex-Confederates and Catholic-sympathizing Democrats. Behind Schurz, ex-Senator Reuben Fenton of New York slips away; further back, Thomas Tipton of Nebraska shakes a furious fist. The caption quotes Schurz urging the centennial to confess the Republic's failure—Columbia replies she needs no mourning. Nast argues that the real funeral belongs to Schurz's political credibility, not American democracy.
About this artifact
- Creator
- Thomas Nast
- Date
- March 20, 1875
- Rights
- Public domain — free to view, share, and reuse.
- Restoration
- Digitally restored and hosted by ComicBooks.com.
Part of our mission to preserve and restore the public-domain heritage of the medium.