Abe Lincoln Cartoon
Political cartoon titled
"Political 'Blondins' Crossing Salt River", is a satire of the 1860 U.S. Presidential election and the various approaches of the four main candidates to the national crisis over slavery. The cartoon was published by Currier & Ives in 1860.
The cartoon depicts the four candidates attempting to cross from the "North" to the "South" over the symbolic "Salt River," a popular idiom meaning political failure or defeat.
Key Figures and Symbolism
Abraham Lincoln (far left) is balancing on a rail labeled "Abolition Rock," which rests precariously on a large rock on the northern bank of the river. He is being urged by Horace Greeley to "Hurry up old man".
Stephen Douglas (center, falling) is falling off his tightrope labeled "Non Intervention," a reference to his popular sovereignty stance which allowed territories to decide on the issue of slavery themselves.
John C. Breckinridge (far right, also falling) is riding on the shoulders of Joseph Lane as they try to cross on a rope labeled "Slavery Extension". Lane is lamenting that the "dead weight" has ruined his balance pole.
John Bell and Edward Everett (center background, on the bridge) stand safely on a solid structure labeled "Constitutional Bridge," built by "Washington, Jefferson and the Patriots of '76". This reflects the perspective of the Constitutional Union Party, which promoted a neutral stance on slavery and adherence to the Constitution as the only safe path for the nation.
The cartoon suggests that only the Constitutional Union candidates have a reliable and safe path across the deepening national divide, while the other candidates' positions (Abolition, Non-Intervention, and Slavery Extension) lead to political failure in the "Salt River".
"Political 'Blondins' Crossing Salt River", is a satire of the 1860 U.S. Presidential election and the various approaches of the four main candidates to the national crisis over slavery. The cartoon was published by Currier & Ives in 1860.
The cartoon depicts the four candidates attempting to cross from the "North" to the "South" over the symbolic "Salt River," a popular idiom meaning political failure or defeat.
Key Figures and Symbolism
Abraham Lincoln (far left) is balancing on a rail labeled "Abolition Rock," which rests precariously on a large rock on the northern bank of the river. He is being urged by Horace Greeley to "Hurry up old man".
Stephen Douglas (center, falling) is falling off his tightrope labeled "Non Intervention," a reference to his popular sovereignty stance which allowed territories to decide on the issue of slavery themselves.
John C. Breckinridge (far right, also falling) is riding on the shoulders of Joseph Lane as they try to cross on a rope labeled "Slavery Extension". Lane is lamenting that the "dead weight" has ruined his balance pole.
John Bell and Edward Everett (center background, on the bridge) stand safely on a solid structure labeled "Constitutional Bridge," built by "Washington, Jefferson and the Patriots of '76". This reflects the perspective of the Constitutional Union Party, which promoted a neutral stance on slavery and adherence to the Constitution as the only safe path for the nation.
The cartoon suggests that only the Constitutional Union candidates have a reliable and safe path across the deepening national divide, while the other candidates' positions (Abolition, Non-Intervention, and Slavery Extension) lead to political failure in the "Salt River".
After
Disclaimer
The object and/or subject of this report is private property. This page is for informational purposes only. Unless clearly stated otherwise, all conservation and restoration has been performed by Poster Mountain (PM) or Los Angeles Paper Group (LAPG)I) PM-LAPG has not knowingly withheld any significant information from its evaluation report and to the best of its knowledge all statements and evaluations in this report are true and correct.
II) PM-LAPG stated in the Evaluation Report its own personal, unbiased and professional analysis, opinions and conclusions, which are subject to the assumptions and limited conditions in this evaluation report as set forth hereinabove.
III) PM-LAPG has no present or prospective interests in the property which is the subject matter of this report and it has no present or prospective personal interests or bias with respect to the participants in this matter.
IV) PM-LAPG and its employment and/or compensation for performing this evaluation or any future anticipated evaluation was not conditioned on any agreement or understanding, written or otherwise, that it would report (or present analysis in support) as predetermined specific authenticity, a predetermined evaluation that favors the cause of any party or the attainment of any specific result or occurrence of a specific subsequent event, such as value or marketability.
V) PM-LAPG prepared all opinions and conclusions about the subject property that were set forth in this Evaluation Report. If it has relied on significant evaluation assistance from any individual or individuals in the performance of this evaluation or the appropriation of this evaluation report, PM-LAPG has named such individuals and disclosed the specific task performed in this evaluation report. PM-LAPG certifies that any individual so named is qualified to the same extent as PM to perform the task. PM-LAPG has not authorized anyone to make a change to any item in this evaluation report, therefore, any change made to this evaluation is unauthorized and PM-LAPG will not take responsibility for it.
VI) The Client may not disclose or distribute this Evaluation Report to any potential purchasers of the subject property without first obtaining PM-LAPG's prior written consent. This consent must be obtained before this evaluation report may be disclosed or distributed to any other party, including, but not limited to, the public through advertising, public relations, news, sales, or other media.