Sold – Long a War Hawk, Greeley Now Seeks “peace between our people”
Editor of the influential Tribune newspaper, Greeley was an early member of the Republican Party and helped to secure the nomination for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. He initially argued that the South should be allowed to secede, but quickly changed his mind and became a strong supporter of the war effort. In...
Editor of the influential Tribune newspaper, Greeley was an early member of the Republican Party and helped to secure the nomination for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. He initially argued that the South should be allowed to secede, but quickly changed his mind and became a strong supporter of the war effort. In the summer of 1861, he repeatedly called for an invasion of the South, editorializing “On to Richmond.” Greeley soon demanded that President Lincoln free the slaves and subjected him to searing criticism for refusing to do so, then supported the Emancipation Proclamation. After the war, Greeley advocated reconciliation and supported a general amnesty for Confederate officials, and in 1867 angered many Northerners by signing a bail bond for Jefferson Davis. At that time, Greeley feared outbreak “of a fresh civil war.”
Autograph Letter Signed, New York, September 9 [1867], to A.A. Marks. "The Good Book says there is a time for war and a time for peace. I look forward and believe that the time has come for peace between our people, North and South." With the original envelope, addressed in his hand and initialed, "H.G." Although the year is not legible from the postmark, we conjecture that an attribution of 1867 makes most sense in the light of both the politics of the moment and Greeley’s part therein.
The recipient, A.A. Marks, knew about the horrors of war. In 1853, he founded what soon became the biggest company in the world “devoted to the manufacture of artificial legs or artificial arms”. Besides limbs, Marks also manufactured crutches and wheelchairs. In 1859, Marks won a silver medal from the American Institute of New York City. Two years later, the Civil War broke out, and in 1862 Congress passed a law granting one free limb to each honorably discharged Union veteran. Marks became a prime supplier of prostheses to blueclad soldiers and sailors who sacrificed arms and legs in America’s bloodiest conflict. After the war, Marks won several government contracts to furnish amputee vets with prostheses. A.A. Marks was one of the Tribune’s advertisers, so a good word from him must have pleased Greeley.
Frame, Display, Preserve
Each frame is custom constructed, using only proper museum archival materials. This includes:The finest frames, tailored to match the document you have chosen. These can period style, antiqued, gilded, wood, etc. Fabric mats, including silk and satin, as well as museum mat board with hand painted bevels. Attachment of the document to the matting to ensure its protection. This "hinging" is done according to archival standards. Protective "glass," or Tru Vue Optium Acrylic glazing, which is shatter resistant, 99% UV protective, and anti-reflective. You benefit from our decades of experience in designing and creating beautiful, compelling, and protective framed historical documents.
Learn more about our Framing Services