How Free Ballot is Protected political cartoon, 1864
Permanent ID:
11752Language:
EnglishDate:
1864Image Description:
This political cartoon shows black and white soldiers facing off at the ballot box during the presidential election of 1864, which pitted George McClellan against Abraham Lincoln. At right, a white army veteran in uniform holds a ballot with "McClellan" written on it. His right leg and left arm have been amputated, he supports himself using a crutch, and he wears an patch over his left eye. He is prevented from casting his vote by a black soldier, at left, who points a bayonet at him, accusing him of being a "Copperhead traitor" and telling him he can't cast a ballot for anyone other than Lincoln. The black soldier is presumably a member of a regiment of the recently formed United States Colored Troops and is depicted using many negative stereotypes: his facial features are exaggerated, he speaks with a strong accent, he wears ragged clothing, and he has a flask of whiskey hanging from his belt. Behind the two men is a desk with two ballot boxes: the one guarded by the black soldier presumably holds votes for McClellan and is filled with ballots; the other, presumably holding votes for Lincoln, appears empty. Behind the desk, two election officials talk to one another. The first official, a white man wearing glasses, expresses concern that there will be trouble if the white soldier is not allowed to vote. The second official, a white, heavy-set man with a moustache, tells him to "turn around" and "pretend you see nothing."Format:
Lithographs; Political cartoonsDimensions:
Width: 32 cm, Height: 24 cm (image)Publisher:
Collection:
Historical Society of Pennsylvania cartoons and caricatures collectionRelated People or Organizations:
Joseph E. Baker, circa 1837-1914 (artist)Moloshok, Rachel (Transcribed by)
Moloshok, Rachel (Encoded by)
Historical Society of Pennsylvania (repository)
Abraham Lincoln, 1809-1865 (mentioned)
George Brinton McClellan, 1826-1885 (mentioned)
Unknown (publisher)