Significant and historic ALS signed “G. T. Beauregard,” three pages on two lightly lined adjoining sheets, 5 x 6.25, June 24, 1880. Beauregard writes to General Winfield S. Hancock, who had just been nominated for the presidency at the Democratic National Convention. In full: “I take pleasure in congratulating you & the country on your nomination, as Candidate, as our Democratic standard bearer, which, I have no doubt, will secure us success against centralization & corruption. I regret that I could not get to Cincinnati as I intended to do, but I endeavored to achieve by correspondence what my presence there might have effected. The La. delegation was ‘all right’ before it left here, but to aid it & my other friends in the Convention I sent to it, & to your devoted admirer, Col. Blanton Duncan of Ky., the following telegram to be used to the best advantage: ‘South ought to support Hancock. His candidacy would silence cry about Confederate Brigadiers & bloody shirt. Moreover, he would certainly take his seat if elected.’ It remains now for us to elect you by so a large a majority as to silence all opposition on the part of the evil disposed of the Radical party. But knowing that you must have congratulatory letters to read, I will close this one by wishing you a brilliant victory next November. Genl. Ogden, Dr. Brund, and other friends here heartily join me in this wish.” On the reverse of the final page, Hancock has penned a brief summary of Beauregard’s message. Hancock emerged as the victor at the Democratic Convention, which had begun in Cincinnati on June 22, just two days earlier. As Rutherford B. Hayes, the incumbent, had earlier promised not to seek reelection, the Republicans threw their support behind James Garfield, then a congressman from Ohio. With Reconstruction as the chief issue of the campaign, Hancock and Garfield ran neck and neck. Though Garfield ultimately prevailed by a large electoral margin, Hancock lost by fewer than ten thousand popular votes. After effectively retiring from politics, Hancock spent the last few years of his life as president of the National Rifle Association. In fine condition, with unobtrusive folds. RRAuction COA.
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