David and Goliath, Washington, D.C., Political Cartoon

The battle for the presidency between Greeley and incumbent Ulysses S. Grant is portrayed here in biblical terms. In a mountainous desert landscape Greeley, as David armed with a slingshot loaded with quill and inkwell and grasping a copy of his newspaper the New York "Tribune," confronts a giant Grant. The latter wields a lance, a sword, and a shield. In his shadow stands a black youth attendant. From the heights on either side of the scene two supporting armies watch, and in the center a small grotesque figure peeks from behind a rock. A domed building, intended to represent the U.S. Capitol, is visible in the distance. In the lower margin are excerpts from the story of David and Goliath taken from the Book of Samuel. The print is numbered in the stone "Picture No.11," suggesting that it is part of a series. The publisher, Merinsky, issued a pro-Greeley campaign banner, also somewhat unconventional in conception. (See no. 1872-5.)
Entered . . . 1872 by S. Merinsky.
Lith. by Svobodin Merinsky.
Published and for sale, 319 Pearl St. N.Y.
Title appears as it is written on the item.
Forms part of: American cartoon print filing series (Library of Congress)
Published in: American political prints, 1766-1876 / Bernard F. Reilly. Boston : G.K. Hall, 1991, entry 1872-6.