(JUDAICA) Article announcing the formation of the Hebrew Gra

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(JUDAICA.) Article announcing the formation of the Hebrew Grant and Colfax Campaign Club, in an issue of the New York Times. 8 pages, 22½ x 17½ inches; disbound, minor wear. New York, 2 September 1868

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During the Civil War campaign to capture Vicksburg, General Ulysses Grant responded to complaints of illegal trading by issuing the infamous General Order No. 11, which expelled all Jews from Grant's military district. The order was soon nullified by order of President Lincoln. The blatantly antisemitic order became an obstacle when Grant later sought election to the presidency himself in 1868. He claimed that the order had been issued by a subordinate without his knowledge.

On the front page of this New York Times issue is a short article demonstrating the success of Grant's rehabilitation with the Jewish community. It announces the formation of the "Hebrew Grant and Colfax Campaign Club" with headquarters at 2 Delancey Street, which claimed to be "the first Jewish political club organized in this country." They quickly grew to 60 members; the officers are named. They minimized General Order No. 11 as merely "excluding a few Hebrew sutlers from his army."

Grant won the election, with substantial support from Jewish voters. As president, he was widely regarded as supportive of Jewish causes, and was responsible for more than 50 Jewish appointees to federal offices.