JAMES J. O'DONNELL - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 10/18/1880 - HFSID 9010951

JAMES J. O'DONNELL
This lengthy signed and handwritten letter from the newspaper publisher to General Winfield Scott Hancock discusses the inner workings of the Democratic Party and accuses two prominent Democratic politicians of treachery. Extremely rare!
Autograph Letter Signed: "James J. O'Donnell" in ink. 7¼x12. Two pages. Dated October 18, 1880. Sent from the Office of the Brooklyn Standard, 34 Adams Street, Brooklyn. Sent to General Winfield Scott Hancock, the 1880 Democratic Party Candidate for President. This message was sent just two weeks before the voting began. In Full (bolding added): "General, in conversation with Mr. Thos. Kinsella this evening reference to the very peculiar editorial in the Sun of today, Mr. Kinsella informed me that he had heard, on what he considered the best authority, that Mr. Davis had spent Saturday evening, night, and part of Sunday with Mr. Samuel J. Tilden at his country seat. I am led to info from what Mr. Kinsella said that he looks upon this as the cause of the sudden change in Mr. Davis' editorial columns. I have worked with voice and pen for the Democratic front for years, having for the last five years published a paper in this city which has been noted for its devotion to the party's interests; I spent weeks in the mining districts of Ohio during the campaign just closed, and have by every means in my power labored for the announcement of the cause and for your election. If we are to be defeated by treachery in our ranks just as victory seems opening to us, I want to know it. Of course you must consider this letter confidential and I write it in your interest. If this interview took place; if Mr. Tilden, disappointed at his failure to attain the nomination, is seeking at this decisive hour to defeat the Democratic Party by underhand work, I think it wise as well that you should be on your guard against Mr. William A. Fowler. I do not smite them because of any feeling against Mr. Fowler, for he and I have been and are most excellent friends, but I am pretty thoroughly posted on the inner working of the Democratic "machine" in New York State; it seems what caused the defect of the Secretary of State and the state officers in the last election and I feel that it is necessary to be forewarned against any attempts to handicap us in New York State, which is so necessary a factor in present strife. I am convinced that Mr. Kinsella and Mr.Hugh McLaughlin of the city hold the same opinions in reference to Mr. Fowler that I do. So with every hope for the success of the ticket and for your own personal welfare, I remain, Respectfully and truly yours". This letter warns General Winfield Scott Hancock of treachery within the Democratic Party, accusing prominent members of the Party of undercutting his chance of securing the 1880 presidential election. Named members of the party include a number of high-profile New York leaders. Samuel J. Tilden (1814-1886) was Governor of New York from 1875-1876, making him a political kingpin in the state. He ran for President on the Democratic Party ticket in 1876 and wanted to be the Democratic nomination in 1880; he ultimately lost out to Winfield Scott Hancock after a scandal regarding the 1876 Presidential Election surfaced. Also implicated as a traitor of the Democratic cause is William A. Fowler (ca. 1838-1895), a utilities commissioner in New York who was powerful in the Democratic political machine of the state. Named supporters of Hancock's nomination include Fowler's political boss Hugh McLaughlin (1827-1904), the longtime Democratic Party boss in Brooklyn, New York,and Thomas Kinsella (1832-1884), a United States Congressman who served for one term from 1871-1873 before becoming a newspaper publisher. The writer of the letter, James J. O'Donnell (1834-1882), was a prominent figure in the state party's politics himself. He travelled across numerous Mid-Atlantic States to speak in support of Hancock. In addition, he was the editor and publisher of the Brooklyn Standard, a Democratic Party mouthpiece, for many years. Winfield Scott Hancock (1824-1886) was a highly successful Union general during the Civil War and a hero of the Battle of Gettysburg (1863). He became the Democratic Party's candidate for President in 1880, losing narrowly to James A. Garfield by a margin of fewer than 40,000 votes out of 9 million cast (Electoral College vote was 214-155). Hancock had impeccable Unionist credentials but was a strong advocate of states' rights, and was considered for the Party's Presidential nominations of 1868, 1872 and 1876 before securing it in 1880. His command of the Fifth Military District during the Reconstruction Era endeared him to the Democratic Party. Mailing creases and folds. Top edge lightly worn. Otherwise, fine condition.