August Belmont Sr. was a German-American financier, diplomat, and Democratic Party politician. As chair of the Democratic National Committee from 1860 to 1872, during a period of turmoil and reconcili
The Kings of Wall Street, an 1882 print of Belmont standing, second from right. The others, left to right: Cyrus W. Field, Russell Sage, Rufus Hatch, Jay Gould, Sidney Dillon, D. O. Mills, William Henry Vanderbilt, George Wm. Ballou, and James R. Keene.
Belmont was an aggressive advocate for the annexation of Cuba, proposing a plan to pressure Spain into giving up the island which included diplomatic pressure, financial leverage, and bribery. His lobbying eventually led to the Ostend Manifesto.
September 1868 Thomas Nast cartoon "This is a White Man's Government!" showing left to right a stereotyped Irishman (perhaps representing the Democratic Party), an ex-Confederate soldier (Nathan B. Forrest), and a capitalist (Belmont) "triumphing" over a prostrate USCT soldier on the ground.