You damned fools. You can either vote for me for mayor or go to Hell!

John Wentworth (more by this author)

1815-1888 (Age at death: 73 approx.)

"Long" John Wentworth, whose nickname was inspired by his stature (6'6", 300 lbs.)started out as managing editor of the Chicago Democrat, later to become owner and publisher. He served six terms as an Illinois Representative to the U.S. House of Representatives, from 1843 to 1851 as a Democrat, and from 1853 to 1855 as a Republican. It seems fair to speculate that his party change was due to his personal friendship with Abraham Lincoln.

Wentworth served two terms as Mayor of Chicago, in 1857/1858 and again in 1860/1861. I cannot be sure which campaign it was that inspired this utterance.

Type: Prose
Context: Speech
Context Details: Delivered on the stump for Mayor of Chicago
Source: WTTW-TV/online

The Art of Friendly Persuasion

You damned fools. You can either vote for me for mayor or go to Hell!