Smoking him out - Political cartoon, public domain image

A humorous commentary on Barnburner Democrat Martin Van Buren's opposition to regular Democratic party nominee Lewis Cass. Van Buren and his son John were active in the Free Soil effort to prevent the extension of slavery into new American territories. In this he opposed the conservative Cass, who advocated deferring to popular sovereignty on the question. In "Smoking Him Out," Van Buren and his son (wearing smock, far right) feed an already raging fire in a dilapidated barn. (radical New York Democrats supporting Van Buren were referred to as "Barnburners" because in their zeal for social reforms and anticurrency fiscal policy they were likened to farmers burning their barns to drive out the rats). On the left, Lewis Cass prepares to leap from the roof of the flaming structure while several rats likewise escape below him. The artist seems to favor Van Buren, and his attempt to force the slavery issue in the campaign. The Free Soilers, unlike the Democrats, supported enforcement of the Wilmot Proviso, an act introduced by David Wilmot which prohibited slavery in territories acquired in the Mexican War. John Van Buren, adding another pitchfork of hay to the flames, exclaims, "That's you Dad! more 'Free Soil.' We'll rat'em out yet. Long life to Davy Wilmot."

Entered . . . 1848 by Peter Smith.

Pub. by Peter Smith [i.e., Nathaniel Currier] 2 Spruce St. N.Y.

The Library's impression of "Smoking Him Out" was deposited for copyright on August 12, 1848, just two days after Van Buren was nominated by the Free Soil party.

Title appears as it is written on the item.

Gale, no. 5963.

Weitenkampf, p. 92.

Forms part of: American cartoon print filing series (Library of Congress)

Published in: American political prints, 1766-1876 / Bernard F. Reilly. Boston : G.K. Hall, 1991, entry 1848-49.

cass lewis van buren john van buren martin wilmot david free soil party us wilmot proviso presidential elections barnburner democrats lithographs political cartoons vintage images 1848 prints 19th century president van buren martin van buren us presidents prohibition amendment prohibition in 1920 s cartoon prints american nathaniel currier democratic party democratic party us artwork united states history politics and government elections political campaigns library of congress

01/01/1848

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