Comments and Tags
Be the first to comment on this item!
American Civil War ➔ Soldier's Ballot, Cannon Township, Kent County, Michigan list of Presidential and vice presidential electors and Candidates for office
Identifier:
30965Description:
A Cannon Twp., Kent County Michigan Lincoln/Johnson ballot listing electors and a slate of candidates. The GRPM ledger refers to this as a ballot for use by soldiers in the field.The Civil War was the first time the United States had large numbers of soldiers deployed during a presidential election. Politicians of both parties were convinced that the army would vote for the commander-in-chief, Abraham Lincoln, a Republican. As a result, most states with Republican governors and legislatures passed laws enabling soldiers to vote, while most states led by Democrats did not. Those voting soldiers probably helped Abraham Lincoln in Maryland and influenced a few local elections in various states.
This so-called soldier's ballot bears printed patriotic vignettes depicting cannons, cannon balls and flags accompanied by the wording "No Compromise With Treason!" and "Rally round the Flag, boys, rally once again!"
Date:
1864Materials:
Ink on paperDimensions:
8 1/2"" h 3 3/8"" wCurrent Location Status:
In StorageCollection Tier:
Tier 2Source:
Gift Of William J. LandmanLinks:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2015/11/11/ensuring-soldiers-a-chance-to-vote-was-a-challenge-in-the-civil-war-it-still-is-today/Related Entities:
William J. Landman (donor) James A. Straub (identified by)Alternate names: Jim Straub
James A. Straub was a Collections department volunteer and Collection Committee Member at the Grand Rapids Public Museum, offering his services as an art historian. Among his many life accomplishments were his family, and serving in the United States Marine Corps, including a 13-month tour of duty in Vietnam. His list of achievements include 27 years as Detective Lieutenant from the Kent County Sheriff's Department, Original Catalogue Director of the Mathias Alten Catalogue Raisonne, and providing significant contributions to the book, Mathias Alten: Journey of an American Painter.
Jim was honored to have been appointed by Gov. Milliken to the Board of Forensic Polygraph Examiners and by the GR mayor to the GR Historical Commission. Additionally, Jim served as President of the Command Officers Bargaining Unit at the Kent County Sheriff's Department and Vice President of the GR Historical Society. Along with his dedicated service to GRPM Jim was also a member of the Board of Kent County Employees Credit Union, the Kent County Pension Board, the Art Advisory Committee for Butterworth Hospital, the Acquisitions Committee at the Grand Rapids Art Museum and the GVSU Gordon Gallery Advisory Committee. Abraham Lincoln (is related to)
Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865) was an American statesman and lawyer who served as the 16th president of the United States from 1861 until his assassination in 1865.
