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| Library of Congress |
For those of us who live in the 19th century, we are familiar with the first image, which depicts the four presidential candidates running in the 1860 election. It's a great image that I often put up on my PPT to cover the entire election--candidates, political parties, & issues--for my students. I recently came across the 2nd image, which depicts the four candidates and the election as if it were a baseball game, thus revealing how baseball had become ingrained in popular culture as early as 1860. It may be difficult to read, so I have transcribed the cartoon.
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| Library of Congress |
From left to right: John Bell (Constitutional Union Party) His belt reads "Union Club" and his bat (willow) states "Fusion" which accurately captures the state of the Const. Union Party, the Border States who sought compromise to avoid war. Bell says, "It appears to me very singular that we should strike "foul" and "put out" while old Abe made such a "good lick."
Stephen Douglas (Northern Democratic Party) His belt reads "Little Giant" his nickname and his willow states "Non-Intervention." Douglas and the Northern Democrats were contempt to adhere to the idea of "popular sovereignty" to allow settlers moving west into the federal territories to decide for themselves whether their states should be free or not. Douglas says to Bell, "That's because he had that confounded rail, to strike with. I thought our fusion would be a "short stop" to his career.
John Breckinridge (Southern Democratic Party) His belt reads "Disunion Club" and his willow appropriately reads "Slavery Extension." Breckinridge, holding his nose and walking off, captures the Southern Democratic position in 1860. They were headed out of the Union, convinced that a Republican victory would spell doom to their way of life. He says, "I guess I'd better leave for Kentucky, for I smell something strong around here, and begin to think, that we are completely "skunk'd."
Abraham Lincoln (Republican Party) His belt reads "Wide Awake" and his willow "Equal Rights and Free Territory." Lincoln says, "Gentlemen, if any of you should ever take a hand in another match at this game, remember that you must have "a good bat" and strike a "fair ball" to make a "clean score" & a "home run."
Stephen Douglas (Northern Democratic Party) His belt reads "Little Giant" his nickname and his willow states "Non-Intervention." Douglas and the Northern Democrats were contempt to adhere to the idea of "popular sovereignty" to allow settlers moving west into the federal territories to decide for themselves whether their states should be free or not. Douglas says to Bell, "That's because he had that confounded rail, to strike with. I thought our fusion would be a "short stop" to his career.
John Breckinridge (Southern Democratic Party) His belt reads "Disunion Club" and his willow appropriately reads "Slavery Extension." Breckinridge, holding his nose and walking off, captures the Southern Democratic position in 1860. They were headed out of the Union, convinced that a Republican victory would spell doom to their way of life. He says, "I guess I'd better leave for Kentucky, for I smell something strong around here, and begin to think, that we are completely "skunk'd."
Abraham Lincoln (Republican Party) His belt reads "Wide Awake" and his willow "Equal Rights and Free Territory." Lincoln says, "Gentlemen, if any of you should ever take a hand in another match at this game, remember that you must have "a good bat" and strike a "fair ball" to make a "clean score" & a "home run."
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