The patriots getting their beans, Political Cartoon
A satirical view of the scramble among newly elected President James K. Polk's 1844 campaign supporters, or "patriots," for "their beans," i.e., patronage and other official favors. Polk (upper right) sits in t... More
Polk's dream Historic map, Library of Congress
Here Clay is critical of James K. Polk's public advocacy of the 54.40 parallel as the northern boundary of American territory in Oregon. The cartoon also alludes to widespread uncertainty as to the course the ... More
Loco Foco candidates travelling, on the canel system
Several prospective Democratic presidential candidates travel along a canal in the "Salt River Barge," named after the proverbial river of political defeat. The passengers are (left to right): Lewis Cass, secre... More
Letting the last "Democratic drop", Political Cartoon
The only obvious portrait in this crudely drawn satire is that of Republican candidate John C. Fremont (right). An emaciated man (center) sits in a chair near an open window. He is apparently James Buchanan, a... More
Liberty, the fair maid of Kansas--in the hands of the "border ruffians...
A bitter indictment of the Democratic administration's responsibility for violence and bloodshed in Kansas in the wake of the 1854 Kansas-Nebraska Act. (See also "Forcing Slavery Down the Throat of a Freesoiler... More
The morning after the election--November 1856
The victorious James Buchanan sits under a trellis of grape vines, holding reports of election returns on his lap. He reflects, "What a happy morning for my country and myself. Here I find returns for myself & ... More
Shall I vote for ten cents a day?
A campaign parody somewhat favorable to Republican candidate John C. Fremont, but suggesting a conspiracy between Fremont and Millard Fillmore to defeat Democrat James Buchanan. Buchanan's nickname "Ten Cent Ji... More
The buck chase of 1856 - Political cartoon, public domain image
Democratic candidate James Buchanan, as a buck deer, crosses the finish line of a racecourse ahead of competitors Millard Fillmore and John C. Fremont. Spectators cheer in the stands behind. Fillmore appears a... More
Forcing slavery down the throat of a freesoiler
The artist lays on the Democrats the major blame for violence perpetrated against antislavery settlers in Kansas in the wake of the Kansas-Nebraska Act. Here a bearded "freesoiler" has been bound to the "Democr... More
The great Presidential race of 1856
An animated comic scene ridiculing the Democratic and American party candidates. In the foreground is a somewhat rickety wooden "Democratic Platform," into which presidential candidate James Buchanan has just r... More
The political quadrille. Music by Dred Scott
A general parody on the 1860 presidential contest, highlighting the impact of the Dred Scott decision on the race. That controversial decision, handed down in 1857 by Chief Justice Roger B. Taney, ruled that ne... More
Strong's dime caricatures. No. 2, Little Bo-Peep and her foolish sheep
The second in a series of caricatures criticizing the secession of several Southern states from the Union during the last months of the Buchanan administration. Here the young nursery-rhyme shepherdess Bo-Peep ... More
Presidential campaign, 1864. Candidates for President and Vice-Preside...
Print shows bust portraits of Abraham Lincoln, George B. McClellan, Andrew Johnson, and George H. Pendleton above a map of the United States, with bust portraits of the previous 15 presidents with George Washin... More
How Columbia receives McLellan's Salutation from the Chicago Platform
Columbia repudiates Democratic presidential candidate George Brinton McClellan's endorsement of the platform devised at the August 1864 Democratic convention in Chicago. The text below the picture provides the... More
A democratic indignation meeting / after a sketch by our special artis...
Print shows the ghost of Thomas Jefferson speaking to a gathering of the ghosts of John Tyler, Lewis Cass, James K. Polk, Stephen A. Douglas, Franklin Pierce, Andrew Jackson, William L. Marcy, Samuel J. Tilden,... More
A serviceable garment--or reverie of a bachelor
Democratic presidential candidate James Buchanan is depicted as a poor bachelor in his squalid quarters. Though indeed a confirmed bachelor, Buchanan in reality was hardly needy. After serving as American minis... More
The Democratic platform - Print, Library of Congress collection
Print shows Democratic presidential candidate James Buchanan lying on the backs of three men on their hands and knees, from left, Senator Thomas Hart Benton identified as "Old Bullion", President Franklin Pierc... More
Honorable James Buchanan, democratic candidate for the presidency, 185...
James Buchanan, head-and-shoulders portrait, facing left. Public domain scan of portrait print from Library of Congress, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
The Democratic platform - Print, Library of Congress collection
Print shows Democratic presidential candidate James Buchanan lying on the backs of three men on their hands and knees, from left, Senator Thomas Hart Benton identified as "Old Bullion", President Franklin Pierc... More
