Democracy against the unnatural union. Trial Octr. 14th 1817. / designed and executed by one who has neither place nor pension.

A satire on the 1817 Pennsylvania gubernatorial race between William Findlay and Joseph Heister. The artist clearly favors the former, and charges corruption in Heister's campaign. Findlay appears to be buoyed toward the governor's chair by the voices of a crowd of voters, who stand around a ballot box (or platform) on the left. From various members of the crowd come the words: "voice of the people," "the man of our Choice," "Chosen with open doors," "no bribery or Corruption," "let me impress it on your minds who was nominated by 113 delegates of true Republican principles," "I will record the deed," and "True Democracy." Findlay says, "How easy do I ascend." On the right another crowd is assembled. Several men hold up a platform made of bundles of the "Aurora" and "U.S.Gazette" newspapers and "Shingles bought at 10 pounds and paid for at 8 pounds," which in turn supports planks "Federalism," "Old Schoolism" and "1364 Dollars." On top stands candidate Heister, holding a paper "Serious Reflections . . . " and saying "Mercy on me-What a foundation I stand upon!!!" Various people below say: "I would Vote for Old Nick provided I could get a good Office," "I am thinking to myself how foolish we shall look if we do not Succeed," "We must have recourse to all kinds of Strategem or we cannot succeed," and "I do not much relish this Union But Concience [sic] Avaunt." An eagle with olive branch on the left and lightning bolts on the right appears in the sky below the chair.