1776

Below are seven Abraham Lincoln political cartoons with short explanations. What really interests me about old documents like these, is how they reflect opinions and ideas of the time, without knowledge of how things turn out. We have over 140 years of hindsight on Lincoln’s successes and failures. The creators and viewers of these cartoons could not know what he would accomplish.

During the 1864 election, Lincoln dreams of being chased from the White House by Columbia (or Liberty), who is carrying the severed head of a black man. Lincoln is saying, “This don’t remind me of any joke!!” Lincoln’s political opponent, George B. McClellan, climbs the stairs. The words at the bottom are, “COMING EVENTS CAST THEIR SHADOWS BEFORE.”

Lincoln is wearing a cape and a Scotch cap. This is in reference to an incident in 1861, where Lincoln disguised himself as a precaution against a suspected assassination attempt. The press poked fun at this behavior.

This is another cartoon from the 1864 election. In “Union and Liberty”, we see Lincoln shaking the hand of a man wearing a paper labor cap. Black and white children are coming out of a school that flies the American fag. In “Union and Slavery”, we see McClellan shaking the hand of Confederate president Jefferson Davis. In the background, a slave auction is happening.

McClellan’s party platform included ending the war with the Confederacy by negotiating a settlement. However, McClellan himself supported the war.

You can read a detailed account of McClellan’s run for President in General McClellan By Peter Smith Michie (Google Books).

Dred Scott was a slave involved in a 1857 controversial decision delivered by Chief Justice Roger Taney. Are slaves free after entering a free state? Scott had spent time in free states and went to court to argue for his freedom. He lost his case.

Dred Scott is in the center, fiddling the music. The four candidates of the 1860 election are dancing with their perceived constituencies.

In the top left corner, Breckinridge dances with James Buchanan (shown as a goat).
In the lower left corner, Douglas dances with a poor Irishman.
In the top right corner, Lincoln dances with a black woman.
In the lower right corner, Bell dances with a Native American.

For more information on the Dred Scott case:
Decision of the Supreme Court in the Case of Dred Scott Vs. John F. A. Sandford, 1856 (Google Books)

Titled “Lincoln’s Last Warning”, Lincoln says, “Now, if you don’t come down, I’ll cut the Tree from under you.”

Portraying him as ineffective, Lincoln fires a blunderbuss at a bird labelled “C.S.A.” for the Confederate States of America. The bird is not hit. Lincoln says, “Begorra, if ye wor at this end o’ th’ gun, ye wouldn’t flap yer wings that way, ye vill’in!”

The dog is Secretary of War Edwin McMasters Stanton.

Lincoln and Douglas are running a race to the U.S. Capitol. A rail fence is blocking the path. Douglas says, “How can I get over this Rail Fence.” Lincoln says, “It can’t stop me for I built it.” A young black man says to Douglas, “”You find me in dis yer Fence Massa Duglis.”

Lincoln carries a rail-splitter’s maul over his shoulder. Douglas carries a jug labelled “M.C.”, referencing the Missouri Compromise, which Douglas worked to repeal.

Lincoln, Douglas, Breckinridge, and John Bell were candidates for the 1860 election. Here they are shown tearing apart the nation in a brawl. Although, Bell appears to be trying to glue the northeastern area.

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