State Historical Society of Iowa

"Farmer Garfield: Cutting a Swath to the White House" Campaign Poster, 1880

 Download Image Resource

Courtesy of Library of Congress, Currier & Ives, New York, 1880

Description

James A. Garfield, Republican candidate for president in 1880, is depicted as a farmer in his wheat field using a scythe to clear his wheat field of both weeds and dangerous snakes. His "scythe" holds the words honesty, ability and patriotism, as he swipes at the "weeds" of calumny, falsehood, fraud, venom, hatred, defamation and malice.

Source Dependent Questions

  • Based on the specific imagery used in the drawing, describe the kind of person and candidate the artist believed James A. Garfield to be. Why do you think these personal qualities would appeal to voters?
  • How did the portrayal of Garfield contrast with that of his opponents in the poster?
  • What about this campaign poster would still resonate with voters today? Explain your answer.

Citation Information

"Farmer Garfield: Cutting a Swath to the White House," Currier & Ives, New York, 1880. Courtesy of Library of Congress Courtesy of Library of Congress