[Rarebooks] FS: P. T. Barnum rails against his Democrat opponent for Congress, W. H. Barnum, and tries to get good PR from Harper's Weekly editor George Curtis

[Charles Agvent]

BARNUM, P. T. AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED (ALS). Bridgeport, CT, 22 March 
1867. A scarce two-page letter asking for a political favor on the front 
and verso of a 4-1/2" x 8" ruled sheet of paper to the American author 
and important editor George W. Curtis in which Barnum writes his last 
name four times. An interesting letter, in full: "In the last column of 
first page of this week's Nation is an article on the Conn. election in 
which the religious element in this district is appealed to scratch my 
name. The 'Iron' Barnum yesterday distributed thousands of copies of 
that paper in packages at the massive R.R. stations and it is said by 
authority that the copperheads in this district preferred the article in 
question & ordered the papers in advance. This (Iron) WH Barnum is a 
profane man and the 'democratic' party in this district is exhibiting 
more virulence & [?] filth than was ever before seen in a political 
[?]-- WH Barnum expending $25,000 among the hotels & groggeries in the 
district for the [?] influence & yet they appeal to the susceptibilities 
of the religious community. As this is a very close district we need 
every good influence to counteract their poison, hence if you can say a 
word in reply to this last effort of theirs, you will benefit the 
Republic party & much oblige." SIGNED "P. T. Barnum." W. H. Barnum was a 
distant relative of P. T. Barnum (3rd cousin, once removed) and also the 
political "Boss" of Fairfield County. P. T. was nominated by the 
Republican Party as a candidate for U.S. Congress in 1867 to run against 
the Democrat W. H., who won the election. W. H. Barnum later also served 
in the U. S. Senate and was the longest-serving chair of the Democratic 
National Committee (1877 to 1889). In 1863 Curtis became the political 
editor of HARPER'S WEEKLY, which was highly influential in shaping 
public opinion. One of the most influential American journalists of any 
day, Curtis also was known for his speeches, one of which was a tribute 
to Charles Sumner. He also had the honor of helping Thoreau build his 
cabin on Walden Pond. Normal creases from folding. About Fine.

W. H. Barnum was the chief executive of The Barnum Richardson Company, 
which owned or controlled a number of iron mines, and was known as 
"Iron" Barnum. (#009928)        $1,500.00

See an image here:

http://home.ptd.net/~chagvent/009928.jpg

One can follow the events in the 1867 THE NATION here by searching for 
P. T. Barnum:

http://books.google.com/books?ei=ln5wT7-wE-XL0QGa_eHjBg&id=-M1NAQAAIAAJ&dq=P.+T.+Barnum+%22W.+H.+Barnum%22&ots=2IF0YtxJ5m&q=P.+T.+Barnum#v=snippet&q=P.%20T.%20Barnum&f=false

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