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1896, Wm McKinley Campaign flag (U.S.)

Anti-McKinley flag

See also:

Anti-McKinley flag

image located by William Garrison, 26 March 2026

Source: https://historical.ha.com/itm/political

Caption from the seller: "[William Jennings Bryan]: Large 1900 Anti-William McKinley Folk Art Flag. An intriguing and doubtless one-of-a-kind, hand-constructed, cotton flag which venomously pronounces Anti-McKinley sentiments on a variety of issues! Clearly made as a 1900 campaign piece in support of William Jennings Bryan, it attacks McKinley as an imperialist and militarist. Presumably, this relates to his exploitation of Spain by signing the Treaty of Paris, ending the Spanish-American war but forcing Spain to surrender Guam, the Philippines, and Puerto Rico to the U.S. "Three Cheers For Trusts" is a criticism of McKinley's business-friendly attitude and for being soft on trusts. "Prosperity and Gold. / Dollar is King" both statements reflect McKinley's pro-capitalist position. Finally, "The People Be Damned" is a condemnation by Bryan supporters for what they felt was harsh disregard by McKinley for his pro-tariff reforms, which Democrats believed would hurt consumers by raising prices. The flag measures 55.5" x 40" and exhibits several tack holes along the header indicating prior attachment to a wood pole. The canton instead of the usual 45 stars seen on a flag in 1900, contains 42 dollar signs reflecting "Prosperity" and three British pound sterling symbols, which probably refers to the signing of the Hay-Pauncefote Treaty in February 1900-a deal McKinley struck with Britain to build the Panama Canal."

William Garrison, 26 March 2026