The Republican Party: Its History, Principles and Policies, Edited by Hon. John D. Long, First Edition, 1888

Long, John Davis. Editor. The Republican Party: Its History, Principles and Policies. New York: The M. W. Hazen Co., 1888. First Edition. Octavo. In the publisher's original brown cloth boards, embossed and stamped in black and gilt to front board, gilt titles and blind embossed borders to spine. Illustrated with twelve engravings. 

Presented is a rare, first edition of John Davis Long’s The Republican Party: Its History, Principles and Policies. This book was published in New York by the M. W. Hazen Company in 1888. The book is presented in the publisher’s original brown cloth boards, with black embossing and gilt titles to the front board, and blind embossing and gilt titles to the spine. It is illustrated with twelve plates, mostly portraits of prominent Republican leaders, like Abraham Lincoln, Alexander Hamilton, Ulysses S. Grant, Benjamin Harrison, and Chester Arthur. 

Long’s The Republican Party reviews the origin, rise, and growth of the Republican party up until the late 19th century. It begins by recounting the party’s history, praising early Republican leaders and significant Republican electoral victories. In Part II, a section named “Vital Questions,” it details the party’s core principals and beliefs, by subject themes. The topics range from pensions, the Navy, and fisheries, to civil services, tariffs, foreign trade, internal development, and voting. Part III serves as campaign propaganda for the 1888 Harrison-Morton presidential ticket, with coverage of the convention and biographies of both men. 

In addition to text written by Long, the book features many different authors, including judges, senators, politicians, and prominent writers. Included authors in this long list are Edward McPherson, L. E. Payson, Edmund Morrill, William Frye, William Chandler, Joseph Hawley, Nelson Dingley Jr., J. C. Burrows, Green Raum, William McKinley, Jr., Benjamin Butterworth, F. D. Mussey, John Wise, Henry Cabot Lodge, John J. Ingalls, and others. 

John Davis Long (1838-1915), born in Buckfield, Maine, was a distinguished lawyer, politician, and public servant. A graduate of the academic department of Harvard University in 1857, he began his career as a teacher. He went back to school to study law at Harvard Law School, passed the bar in 1861, and began his legal practice in Maine. After moving to Massachusetts, Long embarked on a notable political career, serving in the State House of Representatives  from 1875 to 1878, including three years as Speaker. He served as Lieutenant Governor in 1879 and Governor of Massachusetts from 1880 to 1882. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives as a Republican, serving from 1883 to 1889. Long later joined President William McKinley's cabinet as Secretary of the Navy, serving from 1897 to 1902. After resigning, he returned to practicing law in Boston and remained active in civic life. He died in Hingham, Massachusetts, in 1915.

CONDITION:

Very good condition. In the publisher's original brown cloth boards, embossed in black with gilt titles to the front cover. Gilt titles to the spine and blind embossed borders to the spine. Boards show minor edge and corner wear, with light bumping to spine and corners of boards, rubbing along spine hinges, minor scuffs and scratches to back board. Interior pages are in very good condition, with light toning to the text block. Frontispiece of Abraham Lincoln with tissue guard present. Eleven other illustrations throughout the book. Several charts and tables of information.

Dimensions: 9 5/16"H x 6 1/2"W x 1 6/8"D

Accompanied by our company's letter of authenticity.