Anti-Black "Soldiers' Ticket" printed on green paper. [Iowa, 1865]. Measuring 3 1/2 by 9 inches. Pencil inscription to recto reads: "1865."

An intriguing ballot from the 1865 Iowa gubernatorial election, with Democratic candidate, General Thomas H. Benton (1816-1879) featured as the choice for governor. Despite Iowa belonging to the Union during the Civil War, the topic of emancipation was a controversial one, even for the soldiers fighting for it. This soldier's ballot reflects the conservative Democrat platform, which strongly opposed the adoption of rights for Black Americans: "Anti Maine Law and Anti Negro Suffrage." Benton's campaign strongly reflected this, as his campaign focused almost entirely on anti-suffrage for African Americans. Ultimately, his campaign would be lost to incumbent Republican governor, William M. Stone (1827-1893). 

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