1876 was a year of significance in the United States—not only because the nation celebrated its centennial, but also because it witnessed one of the closest and most consequential elections in its history. The outcome of this election would alter the direction of the country for generations. It was Rutherford B. Hayes versus Samuel J. Tilden in a contest that would leave a lasting mark.
A Struggling Nation
Ulysses S. Grant’s second term as president was marred by challenges, notably the infamous Colfax Massacre, which resulted in the deaths of 60 to 130 people, and a slew of scandals that plagued his administration. Although Grant considered running for a third term, the weight of these scandals ultimately dissuaded him. The nation’s economy was also in turmoil, suffering from what would later be known as the Panic of 1873—a financial crisis that led to a severe economic depression. With the Republican Party facing such difficulties, the outlook for the 1876 election appeared bleak. Yet, they still needed a candidate to keep the GOP in the White House.
Hayes for President
Several Republicans vied for the party’s nomination, with James Blaine, a reform-minded senator from Maine, initially seen as the frontrunner. However, concerns over Blaine’s electability led the party to nominate Rutherford B. Hayes, the governor of Ohio. Hayes was a former congressman and a Civil War veteran, known for his reformist stance, making him a suitable candidate to counter the rampant corruption of the era.
Hayes’ running mate, New York Representative William Wheeler, was respected for his integrity and opposition to corruption, further bolstering Hayes’ image as a principled leader. The Hayes-Wheeler platform emphasized anti-corruption, support for African American rights in the South, and the continuation of Reconstruction, alongside standard Republican policies of the day.
Tilden for President
With the nation reeling from economic distress and corruption under Grant, the Democratic Party entered the election of 1876 with optimism. They swiftly nominated Samuel J. Tilden, the governor of New York, on the first ballot. Tilden, like Hayes, was a reform-minded politician, celebrated for his efforts in combating corruption, most notably his role in bringing down William “Boss” Tweed of Tammany Hall.
Tilden’s running mate was Thomas Hendricks, the governor of Indiana, who had garnered significant support in the 1872 election under unique circumstances. The Democratic platform called for the end of Reconstruction and the elimination of corruption. They also supported maintaining the gold standard, expanding free trade, restricting Asian immigration, opposing land grants for railroads, and other policies. Although the two major candidates shared several positions, the race was expected to be close. But before we dive into the campaigns, it’s worth mentioning the emergence of a new political force.
The Rise of the Greenback Party
The Greenback Party was born out of the economic distress following the Panic of 1873. Its members advocated for the use of “greenbacks”—paper currency—as opposed to the gold standard supported by both Republicans and Democrats. The party’s base comprised mainly farmers, industrial workers, and middle-class individuals who had been hit hard by the economic crisis. Peter Cooper, a philanthropist and inventor from New York, was the party’s nominee. Cooper, known for building the first locomotive in U.S. history, was 85 years old during the election, making him the oldest person ever to run for president. His running mate was Samuel Fenton Cary, a former U.S. Representative from Ohio.
Intimidation and Shady Tactics
As the election shaped up to be a tight contest, both parties resorted to underhanded tactics. The Republicans employed a strategy known as “Waving the Bloody Shirt,” which invoked the Democratic Party’s role in the Civil War to discredit their opponents. Meanwhile, the Democrats engaged in intimidation, particularly in the South, where they used violence to suppress African American voters.
One of the most notorious examples of such intimidation was the “Mississippi Plan,” where Democrats employed paramilitary groups like the Red Shirts and the White Man’s League to disrupt African American rallies, intimidate voters, and even use misleading tactics, such as displaying images of Abraham Lincoln to confuse illiterate voters into casting their ballots for Democrats. Another dubious event involved Colorado, which had just become a state in August 1876. The state legislature selected electors who were biased in favor of Hayes, sparking criticism and leading to changes in how electors were chosen.
Disputed Votes & Electoral Commission
On election night, it initially appeared that Samuel Tilden was on his way to victory, with about 204 electoral votes—well over the 185 needed to win. However, Republicans contested many of Tilden’s votes, arguing that Democratic intimidation tactics had suppressed African American voters. Democrats, in turn, accused Republicans of refusing to count Tilden votes in certain states and awarding more votes to Hayes. To resolve the dispute, Congress created an electoral commission to determine the rightful recipient of 20 disputed electoral votes from Louisiana, Oregon, South Carolina, and Florida.
The commission consisted of 15 members—seven Democrats, seven Republicans, and one independent Supreme Court Justice, David Davis. Davis was seen as the swing vote until Illinois Democrats tried to bribe him by electing him to the U.S. Senate, hoping he would side with them. Instead, Davis recused himself from the commission to accept the Senate position, and Joseph Bradley, a Republican, replaced him. In an 8-7 party-line vote, the commission awarded all 20 disputed votes to Hayes.
Compromise And The Election of 1876 Results
Given that it had been nearly 30 years since a Democrat last occupied the White House, and considering the controversial victories of the GOP in the previous two elections, the Democratic Party refused to accept the commission’s decision. This refusal led to widespread violence and threats of endless filibusters to block Hayes’ presidency. Some Democrats even considered sparking a second Civil War.
To avert further conflict, Republicans and Democrats reached what became known as the Compromise of 1877. In this deal, Democrats agreed to allow Hayes to assume the presidency in exchange for the withdrawal of federal troops from the South. This withdrawal effectively ended Reconstruction and paved the way for the rise of Jim Crow laws, leading to the segregation and disenfranchisement of African Americans for nearly a century.
As a result, Rutherford B. Hayes was sworn in as the 19th president of the United States, winning 185 electoral votes to Tilden’s 184. Despite his loss, Tilden had won the popular vote with 50.9% to Hayes’ 47.9%. Peter Cooper and the Greenback Party finished a distant third, securing no electoral votes and about 1% of the popular vote. Hayes’ electoral victory remains the narrowest in U.S. history and marked the second time since 1824 that a candidate who won the popular vote did not become president.
The Election of 1876 was a wild and tumultuous affair, filled with corruption, intimidation, a disputed winner, and a future dramatically altered for African Americans in the United States.
