Details
Creator Currier & Ives.
Contributor Currier & Ives, publisher.
Title The Rail candidate. [graphic].
Publisher New York : Published by Currier & Ives, 152 Nassau St
Publisher N.Y. New York. 1860
Date 1860
Physical Description 1 print : lithograph ; sheet 35 x 46 cm (13.5 x 18 in.)
Description Political cartoon questioning candidate Abraham Lincoln's ability to succeed in the presidential election of 1860 with the controversial antislavery plank as a part of the Republican Party’s platform. Depicts Lincoln with an expression of discomfort on his face and straddling a wooden rail labeled, "Republican Platform." He complains, "it is true I have split Rails, but I begin to feel as if this Rail would split me, it's the hardest stick I ever straddled." Carrying the front end of the rail is an African American man, portrayed as a racist caricature, who says in the vernacular, "Dis Nigger strong and willin, but it's awful hard work to carry Old Massa Abe on nothing but dis ere rail!!" The back end of the rail is carried by New York Tribune editor, abolitionist, and Lincoln supporter, Horace Greeley, who ensures that they will prove Lincoln can split rails and be elected President.
Is referenced by Weitenkampf, p. 123
Reilly, 1868-31
Notes Title from item.
Date from copyright statement: Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1860, by Currier & Ives, in the Clerk’s Office of the District Court for the Southern Distc. of N.Y.
Probably drawn by Louis Maurer.
Stamp on verso: L.A. DeVries.
Purchase 1960.
RVCDC
Description revised 2021.
Access points revised 2021.
Part of digital collections catalog through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett, Governor, 2013-2014.
Subject Greeley, Horace, 1811-1872 -- Caricatures and cartoons.
Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865 -- Caricatures and cartoons.
Republican Party (U.S. : 1854- ) -- Elections.
Republican Party (U.S. : 1854- ) -- Platforms.
Abolition movement -- United States.
African American men -- Caricatures and cartoons.
Lifting & carrying -- United States.
Political platforms -- United States.
Presidents -- United States -- Election -- 1860.
Racism in popular culture.
Slavery -- United States.
Enslaved persons -- United States.
Enslaved men -- United States.
Genre Anti-abolition prints -- United States -- 1860-1870.
Lithographs -- 1860-1870.
Political cartoons -- 1860-1870.
Printer Currier & Ives, publisher.
Location Library Company of Philadelphia| Print Department| Political Cartoons - 1860-31R [6419.F]
Accession number 6419.F