Forcing slavery down the throat of a freesoiler

The artist lays on the Democrats the major blame for violence perpetrated against antislavery settlers in Kansas in the wake of the Kansas-Nebraska Act. Here a bearded "freesoiler" has been bound to the "Democratic Platform" and is restrained by two Lilliputian figures, presidential nominee James Buchanan and Democratic senator Lewis Cass. Democratic senator Stephen A. Douglas and president Franklin Pierce, also shown as tiny figures, force a black man into the giant's gaping mouth. The freesoiler's head rests on a platform marked "Kansas," "Cuba," and "Central America," probably referring to Democratic ambitions for the extension of slavery. In the background left is a scene of burning and pillage; on the right a dead man hangs from a tree.

buchanan james cass lewis douglas stephen a stephen arnold pierce franklin abolition movement kansas presidential elections slavery history central america lithographs political cartoons kansas city throat freesoiler vintage images 1856 prints 19th century senator democratic party nominee elections democratic party us james buchanan united states history politics and government political campaigns public domain cartoon images library of congress

01/01/1856

Library of Congress

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