19 x 13 1/2 in. printed broadside. (Light folds and creases, few scattered stains, very minor losses at folds, backed by tissue.)

"I WILL SHAKE HANDS WITH THE DEVIL TO PREVENT THE EXTENSION OF SLAVERY..."

By 1856, Illinois politics had reached a crossroads, with eight of the state's first 10 governors being either Democrats or Democratic-Republicans. The 1856 Illinois gubernatorial campaign pitted William Henry Bissell of the newly-formed Republican Party against Democrat William Alexander Richardson and Know Nothing Buckner S. Morris. Bissell's candidacy was controversial both for his strongly anti-slavery views and for his having been previously involved in a duel against future Confederate president Jefferson Davis. Despite this, he enjoyed strong support from the Illinois political elite, among them Abraham Lincoln, "Long John" Wentworth, former Illinois governor Ninian Edwards, and Edwards's son Benjamin. During the nominating convention for Bissell Lincoln, Wentworth, and Jonathan Edwards delivered speeches for Lieutenant Governor candidate John Wood, with Edwards's speech in particular attracting attention for his declaration that he would "shake hands with the Devil to prevent the extension of slavery as designed to be brought about by Stephen A. Douglas and minions."

The present broadside was likely printed during the 1858 senatorial contest between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas.

EXCEEDINGLY RARE: According to online records, this is the only copy extant.