African Americana

Electors of the Western District! Read and Consider!! At a meeting of gentlemen of the Whig Party, and of Citizens Generally, favorable to the Hon. Wilkins Updike, to Congress, held at Kingston Court House, Aug. 11, 1847. [Kingston, RI]: N.p., 1847. 

12 1/2 x 19 1/4 in. letterpress broadside (old creases, some toning to edges). 

An anti-slavery and anti-Mexican War broadside from a meeting during the 1847 Rhode Island congressional elections. The text denounces the war as "the present unjust and wicked war with Mexico," and continues regarding the myriad costs: "But it was not merely the amount of public money squandered in this war, it was not even the great danger to the liberties of the country from the enormous and unconstitutional powers claimed by the President, and from the system of corruption which prevailed in administration - there was a more momentous consideration than even all these - that was the object for which the war was carried on - the EXTENSION of SLAVERY!!" The text continues with exhortations to its readers, denouncing the "inhuman system of slavery." RARE: OCLC locates only 3 copies.