Election 1898 Political Cartoons in the Progressive Farmer

The Progressive Farmer was the official organ of the North Carolina Farmers Alliance, and was an open advocate for the Populist party. Under the editorship of Clarence Poe, the paper had initially stayed away from political issues through the summer and early fall of 1898, focussing instead on practical advice for farmers. However, by late October of 1898, with the Democrats seizing control of the campaign, the paper began to address the political struggle.

In an eight-page supplement published on October 25, the Progressive Farmer published articles and cartoons attempting to turn the charges of white supremacy back on the Democrats. Although the Populists were running with the predominately African American Republican party, the Progressive Farmer published a number of racist cartoons. These did not argue against the accusations of “negro domination” by the Democrats, but suggested instead that African Americans were appointed to office by Democratic officials.

PLEASE NOTE: Many of the articles and cartoons on this site contain racially insensitive images and text.