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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
History Often Repeats Itself
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

History Often Repeats Itself

Artifact ID1979.190.4 (A)
Object Type Printing Plate Mold
Date ca.1940
Medium Paper mache
DimensionsOverall H 4 3/4 in x W 5 1/2 in (12.1 cm x 14 cm )
Physical Description
Physical DescriptionPaper cast of an editorial cartoon printing plate for the Lake Geneva Herald, Wisconsin, ca.1940-41. Frame 1: A crowd at a rally holds up a sign (“Grover Cleveland for Pres”). Text: "One of the most noted of political indiscretions was the famous Rum, Romanism, and Rebellion speech during the Cleveland-Blaine presidential campaign of 1884 which caused Blaine’s defeat". Frame 2: A crowd listens to a woman (identifiable as Dorothy Thompson) give a speech. Text: 'This seemed to be ‘tops’ in bad taste until the recent utterance of Dorothy Thompson when she referred to mothers who do not want their sons sent into foreign wars as ‘black cockroaches’ or ‘black crows’”. Caption: "History often repeats itself". Artist signature at lower right: "Masterson".
Historical NoteBefore the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, many Americans were isolationist, or opposed to entering World War II, due to the amount of American casualties in World War I. In 1884, Reverend Samuel Burchard used the phrase "rum, Romanism, and rebellion" to refer to Irish-American voters before a speech by Republican candidate James G. Blaine. Blaine did nothing to denounce the phrase, leading to a loss of votes. Dorothy Thompson was an American journalist who lived in Germany until being expelled in 1934 by the Nazis.

Additional Details
Custodial History NoteThis item was donated by Dr. John Roche to the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum in March 1979.
Credit LineGift of John P. Roche
National Archives Catalog CollectionLyndon B. Johnson Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 192413)
National Archives Catalog SeriesGifts to the LBJ Library (National Archives Identifier 189698391)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - Fully
Use Restriction NoteCopyright or other proprietary rights are held by individuals or entities other than the LBJ Presidential Library and Museum. The LBJ Presidential Library and Museum does not warrant that the use of materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions. Pertinent regulations can be found at 36 C.F.R 1254.62.
Person Referenced Grover Cleveland (United States, 1837 - 1908)
Person Referenced James G. Blaine (United States, 1830 - 1893)
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Place of Publication
Lake Geneva
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