The Fathers and Saviors of Our Country: A Presidential Sale

7 3/4 x 4 3/4 in. broadside printed in red (original folds); 2 1/2 x 4 1/4 in. guest pass with original printed envelope.

THE SWING AROUND THE CIRCLE TOUR.

With the 1866 midterm elections looming and an increasingly hostile Congress making not-so-subtle threats of holding the first impeachment hearing of a sitting president in United States history, President Andrew Johnson sought both to garner as much public support for his presidency as possible by undertaking a speaking campaign for his preferred midterm candidates, most of whom were Democrats. To this end, he enlisted Ulysses S. Grant and David Farragut to accompany him, with their invitations essentially sent as presidential orders. George Custer, George Cook, James B. Speedman, and Lovell Rousseau also joined.

From 27 August to 15 September 1866, the Swing Around the Circle Tour stopped in 22 major cities, with stops in smaller towns made along the way. To this point, presidents had not generally undertaken political campaigning; the tour was roundly criticized for being beneath the dignity of the office. Despite this, the first tour stops were very well received, though as time went on, it became clear that Johnson was delivering the same speech over and over again, and the situation only got worse as he moved further west into Radical Republican strongholds. It was when Johnson stopped in Cleveland on 3 September that things took a turn, with a mob of hecklers forcing Johnson to angrily respond. As he left the balcony from which he had spoken, an advisor reminded him to maintain his dignity, to which Johnson replied, "I don't care about my dignity." This quote was carried by newspapers across the country and effectively ended any favorable press coverage the tour had enjoyed to that point.

Eleven days later, a temporary platform built beside Johnson's train for spectators collapsed, sending hundreds plummeting into the drained canal below and killing 13. Despite Johnson's attempts to remain behind to offer assistance, his train was ordered to continue to its next stop, further damaging the unpopular president's reputation. In November the Republican Party gained 23 seats and immediately moves were made to impeach Johnson, with the tenth item in the articles of impeachment citing the the Swing Around the Circle Tour directly, charging that Johnson "did...make and declare, with a loud voice certain intemperate, inflammatory, and scandalous harangues, and therein utter loud threats and bitter menaces, as well against Congress as the laws of the United States duly enacted thereby, amid the cries, jeers and laughter of the multitudes then assembled in hearing."

EXCEEDINGLY RARE: According to online records, this is the only known complete example of this schedule, pass, and accompanying envelope to come to auction.