The Fathers and Saviors of Our Country: A Presidential Sale

21 x 14 in. printed broadside. (Some losses, old folds, minor soiling at margins, sections backed with tissue.)

AN ANTI-STEPHEN DOUGLAS BROADSIDE FROM THE 1860 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN.

Stephen Douglas announced his candidacy for president of the United States in June 1859, with his platform based on "popular sovereignty." As a moderate on the issue of slavery, Douglas believed that states had the right to choose for themselves whether or not to make slavery legal within their borders. This position was considered untenable by southern delegates to the 1860 Democratic National Convention, and as a result, fifty Southern Democrats walked out and nominated their own candidate for the presidency, Vice President John C. Breckinridge. It is believed that the present broadside was issued by Breckinridge supporters through the remainder of the 1860 campaign. Ultimately, neither Douglas nor Breckinridge would win the contest, with Breckinridge coming in second place with 72 electoral votes and Douglas in fourth with 12. Despite his defeat, Douglas would support Lincoln following the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter and would even advise him on the number of troops to be raised in its wake, while Breckinridge would join the Confederate Army and eventually serve as Confederate Secretary of War from February to May 1865.

Full text: "Left Washington, D.C. some time in July, to go home to his mother, in New York. He has not yet reached his mother, who is very anxious about him. He has been seen in Philadelphia, New York City, Hartford, Conn., and at a clam-bake in Rhode Island. He has been heard from at Boston, Portland, Augusta, and Bangor, Maine. From some expression he has dropped, it is feared that he has become insane upon a subject he calls "Popular Sovereignty." He is about five feet [text missing] height, and about the same in diameter the other way. He has a red face, short legs, and a large belly. Answers to the name of 'Little Giant.' Talks a great deal, and very loud; ALWAYS ABOUT HIMSELF. HAS AN IDEA THAT HE IS A CANDIDATE FOR THE PRESIDENCY. Had on, when he elft, drab pants, a white vest, and blue coat with brass buttons; the tail is very near the ground. Any information concerning him will be gratefully received by his afflicted mother." EXCEEDINGLY RARE: According to online records, this is the only copy extant.

PROVENANCE:
Charles Hamilton Galleries, 3 June 1976, Sale 97 Lot 203