CHARLES W. DENISON - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED - HFSID 9010945

CHARLES W. DENISON
The social reformer and newspaper editor signed this handwritten letter to General Winfield Scott Hancock
Autograph Letter Signed: “Ch. W. Denison” in iron gall ink. 5x8. One page. Dated January 4, 1869. Sent to General Winfield S. Hancock. In Full: “My Dear General: I shall be very greatly obliged to you if you will kindly favor me with a letter of introduction to Gen. Schofield. I am desirous of seeing him on official business, of a somewhat personal nature, and a word from you will be of 'material aid'? I have the honor, dear General, to remain Yr. Ob't. Servt.” Charles W. Denison (1806-1881) led an active civic life, becoming involved in a number of different important issues of 19th century America. In 1833, Denison co-founded the second anti-slavery society in the country. The organization was based out of New York State. Years later during the Reconstruction Era, he became a Reverend and travelled around the country preaching. By the end of the 1960s, he had come out in full support of the temperance movement, wishing to put limitations on alcohol consumption. He edited the National Harbinger, a temperance mouthpiece based in Washington, District of Columbia, at the turn of the decade. However, his loud and brash temperament in support of the cause isolated him from the establishment of the country. He made national news when he quoted Senator Henry Wilson implying that then-President Ulysses S. Grant was a lush. During the 1872 Presidential election, he supported Horace Greeley, who actually died in the middle of the electoral process. Years later, he finally settled down and started a business in the Boston, Massachusetts area. Years after his younger days in support of temperance, his poetry and writings still reflected a strong preference for alcohol laws. Mailing creases. Lightly toned. Otherwise, fine condition.