1.068 Ergebnisse
1852Best.-Nr. 43708Boston: Beals Greene & Co 1852. First edition. Stitched self wrappers. A very good copy scant foxing to wrappers vertical mail fold. 24 pp. Two columns. 8vo. At head of title: From the Boston post. Written in response to rumors and allegations from the Whig party that Franklin Pierce was religiously intolerant especially aimed at Irish Catholics. "in American political contests the searching questions ought to be ever as to a candidate ’Is he honest is he capable Is He Faithful to the Constitution’ while an approach to any thing like the popery cry of the British Tory party or an appeal to a sect as such ought to be severely denounced as violative of the spirit of our institutions." Also includes "vote of the towns" the convention of 1850 and the religious test amendments of the Constitution concerning religion Catholic sentiment and more. Not in Miles. Not in Sabin. Beals, Greene, & Co unknown
1844Best.-Nr. 39908Towanda PA 1844. Folio broadside 10-1/8" x 21." Printed in four columns each column separated by a rule. Light to moderate foxing light wear. Good. Signed in type at the bottom by thirty disillusioned local Democrats. Towanda is the county seat of Bradford County the residence of many of the signers including Judge Edward Herrick the first signer. This evidently unrecorded broadside illustrates the impending split in the Democratic Party along sectional lines over the issue of slavery. The signers are "steadfast" Democrats distraught that their Party has nominated James K. Polk of Tennessee as its 1844 presidential candidate. Polk known as the "Dark Horse" candidate "was thrust upon the party as the candidate by the intrigues and management of the NULLIFIERS! italics in original. The instructions and pledges of the delegates were disregarded and Mr. V. Buren and the Democratic party betrayed!" Clay "a statesman of the first order" has always sought to advance the national interest as opposed to parochial concerns. The signers defend his support of protective tariffs and the American System. They applaud his opposition to the annexation of Texas and his warnings that a war with Mexico would result in an expansion of the "odious" system of slavery. Not in Sabin or American Imprints. Not located on OCLC or the online sites of AAS U Penn U TN as of March 2025. unknown
1864Best.-Nr. 32264Albany: Weed Parsons and Company 1864. 81-96 pages as issued. Each page printed in two columns. Disbound and lightly foxed Good. Emphasizing Lincoln's support among all lovers of the Union regardless of Party this campaign pamphlet paints the Democrats as treasonous followers of the Copperhead Congressman Clement Vallandigham. "The Vallandigham platform is merely an attempt of the Richmond authorities to run the blockade of Northern ballot boxes Montgomery Constitution in hand." Not in Sabin Monaghan or Bartlett. OCLC records eleven locations as of July 2015 under two accession numbers. Weed, Parsons and Company unknown
1812Best.-Nr. 68222Pennsylvania. 1812. Pennsylvania Elects Madison in 1812 An interesting early American political manuscript listing fifty-one electors by county or district with tallies next to their names which are then added in a final column. Among the more notable of the electors listed are Charles Thompson and Thomas McKean. In the election Pennsylvania voted overwhelmingly for the Democratic-Republican candidate James Madison who defeated Federalist candidate DeWitt Clinton. An unusual piece of political Americana. Old folds light tanning and wear. Very good. unknown books
1823Best.-Nr. 34261Raleigh 1823. 15 1 blank pp. Caption title as issued. Disbound. Scattered light and moderate foxing. Good. Signed at the end in type: "November 1823. CAROLINA." A scarce pro-Calhoun anti-Crawford piece for the 1824 presidential election. When Calhoun decided to seek the presidency in 1824 "both Crawford and Adams the acknowledged front-runners felt betrayed" Crawford because Calhoun had reportedly assured him that he would defer to the older man and wait his turn; and Adams because Calhoun had said that "for the good of the country.the next President should come from the North." Peterson THE GREAT TRIUMVIRATE 116. Miles 3. Thornton 1750. AI 12071 1- DLC. OCLC 42212191 3- NYHS Duke UNC as of December 2024. unknown books
1824Best.-Nr. 62431N.p. but likely New York. 1824. Rare Illustrated Anti-Jackson Broadside A very rare illustrated anti-Jackson broadside from the hotly-contested election of 1824 addressed to "manufacturers and mechanics." The presidential election of 1824 was a complicated four-candidate affair with frontrunners Andrew Jackson and John Quincy Adams trailed by Henry Clay and William Crawford each drawing considerable support in certain districts. In fact the race was so close that no candidate won a sufficient majority of the electoral vote and Adams was elected by the House of Representatives under the provisions of the Twelfth Amendment despite carrying four fewer states than Jackson and the glow of the "Era of Good Feeling" was dimmed once and for all. Addressed to "Manufacturers and Mechanics" this broadside focuses primarily on Jackson's economic policies specifically his anti-tariff stance. "If the Jackson Party prevail" the text proclaims "the next Congress will be opposed to the tariff to mechanics manufacturers and domestic industry.The consequence will be that the sound of the shuttle will no longer be heard. Our stores will be filled with British and Scotch ginghams shirtings checks and bed-ticks; and not a place will be found for a yard of American cloth.Don't suffer yourselves to be deceived by stories that General Jackson is your friend.What will his battle of New Orleans avail you if you are thrown out of employment and made beggars" Even Jackson's campaign materials they claim are made from British exports. The text seems targeted at a New York and New England audience pointing out South Carolina and "the southern section of the country" as the fervent opponents of domestic industry and warning readers not to be "the dupes of such men as William Coleman" owner of The New York Evening Post. Throughout the broadside maintains a strong anti-British stance and suggests that Jackson and his supporters including Coleman are better friends of Great Britain than America: "Coleman is the man who exulted when a British fleet lay off the Hook. The Evening Post was received wet from his office on board their ships every day. Nothing but respect for the laws prevented our incensed countrymen from demolishing the press and types that printed the diabolical treason." While the text espouses Henry Clay as the man of the hour "the truest ablest and best friend you ever had" the woodcut illustration places a ship named the "John Quincy Adams of Washington" front and center. It flies banners reading "Free Trade & Sailors Rights" and "No Colonial Subjection" and is flanked on either side by vignettes subtitled "National industry is National Wealth" and "Agriculture is the Source of Prosperity." Ironically the largest controversy in Jackson's presidency a decade later would be over his lack of action against tariffs when his failure to repeal Adams' 1828 "Tariff of Abominations" resulted in the Nullification Crisis and threats of civil war. We locate only one other copy of this broadside at the Library of Congress. A rare and interesting illustrated political broadside from a highly contentious election. Old folds minor splitting at right edge of central horizontal fold. Lightly tanned. Very good. REILLY AMERICAN POLITICAL PRINTS 1824-3. OCLC 299947334. hardcover books
1828Best.-Nr. 36782Providence 1828. Elephant folio sheet folded to 4 pp each 15-1/4" x 22-1/2." Old folds toned several small holes and a fold split affecting a few letters. Good Issued only a month before the presidential election this paper leaves no doubt about where it stands. The Jackson-Calhoun ticket is the "BLOOD AND CARNAGE TICKET" condemning Jackson's duel with Dickinson his attempt "to assassinate" Senator Benton charging that he "he sheltered and caressed the infamous BURR at his house in 1806 and noting as well his tyranny in New Orleans and his butchery in Florida. Calhoun is "the head of the attempted rebellion in the South in 1828" a reference to Nullification. The paper endorses John Quincy Adams for a second term his first having been "singularly prosperous. unknown books
1828Best.-Nr. 34260Albany: Printed for the Albany Argus 1828. 32pp disbound and stitched. Title and several other leaves browned widely scattered foxing. Good. This is one of three 1828 issues all scarce printed in the heated presidential race of that year. Anti-Jackson forces charged that his unrestrained martial personality-- highlighted by executing six militia men after the Battle of New Orleans-- unfitted him for the presidency. New York Democrats defend Jackson denounce the falsehoods surrounding that incident and call the official record of the inquiry "useless rubbish." Howes J4. Wise & Cronin 232. Sabin 56778. Printed for the Albany Argus unknown books
1832Best.-Nr. 29452Baltimore: Printed by Samuel Harker Republican Office. 1832. 10pp disbound light to moderate foxing Good. Contemporary ink correction to the imprint '1831' to '1832'. "Convention held May 21-23 1832 resulting in the nomination of Martin Van Buren." Wise & Cronin Martin Van Buren The names of a couple of hundred delegates are listed. Van Buren was nominated on the first ballot as Andrew Jackson's running mate with minimal competition from Richard Johnson and Philip R. Barbour. Wise & Cronin 53. AI 12123 4. Printed by Samuel Harker, Republican Office... unknown books
1840Best.-Nr. 39023Courtland Lawrence Cty. Alabama 1840. Single page 7-3/4" x 12-3/4." Entirely in ink manuscript. Dated June 20 1840 and signed at the end by Watkins and Swoope with Jno. J. McMahon as witness. Inner edge is irregular. Closed tear no loss repaired expertly at blank bottom margin. Very Good. This documents records the terms of a wager on the outcome of the 1840 presidential election. "Watkins betts Swoope Ten Bales Cotton of Best quality weighing Five Hundred Pounds Each on each State in the union 26 in number that Van Buren will receive a majority of the Electoral votes in the contest now pending between Van Buren and Wm. H. Harrison for the Presidency." In case that's not entirely clear "The true intent and meaning of the parties is that Watkins risks Ten Bales Cotton in each State in the Union in favour of Van Buren and every state that Van Buren receives a majority of the Electoral votes." The bet is made on the electoral vote of each State. Watkins risking in favor of Van Buren & Swoope in favor of Harrison. . . The cotton to be delivered in Courtland to the winning party in five parcels annually for five years commencing on the 1st day of January 1841." A calculation of States and bales can be seen at the bottom left corner in pencil. Robert Herndon Watkins 1782-1855 was a farmer in Courtland. Jacob Kuhn Swoope 1800-1841 partnered with his two brothers in the successful Courtland mercantile firm of J & J Swoope in Courtland. John T. McMahon c.1805-1857 was a Courtland commission merchant in the firm of Bierne & McMahon for many years. Saunders Col. James E.: EARLY SETTLERS OF ALABAMA WITH NOTES AND GENEALOGIES New Orleans:1899 accessed online. unknown books
1840Best.-Nr. 41247Albany N.Y.: Thomas M. Burt. 1840. Caption title 8 pages pages 249-256. The 24 September 1840 issue. No. 32 of this short-lived periodical. Caption title printed in three columns per page 8 pages. Old folds chips at upper margin with a pinhole affecting two letters in the running title at page 250. Else Very Good. This Democratic periodical supports the Democratic Presidential ticket of Martin Van Buren and Richard Johnson. For State offices the Rough-Hewer favors William Bouck for Governor and Deniel Dickinson for Lieut. Governor. Presidential electors are listed by district. The Whig candidate William Henry Harrison is excoriated as are Whig banking and other public policies. AI 40-5891 5. Thomas M. Burt. unknown books
1840Best.-Nr. 28849Albany N.Y. 1840. Folio issue of this short-lived periodical: October 15 1840. Caption title printed in three columns per page 8 pages. Untrimmed and uncut widely margined light fox and wear. A few tiny holes in the October issue affecting a couple of letters. Good. This Democratic periodical supports the Jackson-Van Buren credit and banking program and blasts the Whig William Henry Harrison. Its motto: "New-York must be redeemed." The Rough-Hewer warns of "The great money conspiracy between the British Whigs in England and America. The British Press and the British Fund Mongers are electioneering for Harrison." AI 40-5891 5. unknown books
1844Best.-Nr. List3860N.p. 1844. Folded letter on Henry Clay campaign lettersheet with portrait of Clay and printed caption: "And Frelinghuysen." Addressed to Mr. Joseph Griswold Benson Rutland County Vermont. Blue circular postmark and manuscript postage. Milgram No. HC-2 with listing example illustrated in James W. Milgram's Presidential Campaign Illustrated Envelopes and Letter Paper 1840-1872 p. 41. Light toning to address panel minor fold flaws; very good. A long 1844 letter from T. W. Goodrich to Joseph Griswold written on a Henry Clay campaign lettersheet during the presidential contest between Clay and James K. Polk. The printed lettersheet shows Clay's portrait with the caption "And Frelinghuysen" referring to Theodore Frelinghuysen Clay's Whig running mate. The letter opens with direct campaign content identifying the writer as a supporter of "the Harry of the West and his companion F-": "You see what a true Son of the Green Mountains sails under none other than the Harry of the West and his companion F-. Altho we accomplish nothing in this State we value our principals as much as any other set of men. Politics are raging high in these parts. Bets of good round sums are being made constantly. There is great exertions being made on both sides." Goodrich then gives the letter its strongest political passage complaining that abolitionists were gaining strength and drawing support away from the Whig ticket: "Our abolition friends are getting very strong in this State. They think in some counties they have made great gains from one election to another and hang them they are all from the Whig ranks or mostly so. If we had them with us we should carry the State. Then there would be one more bright star in the twenty six." The remainder of the letter turns to family visits courtship gossip local marriages schoolteaching music lessons and delays in correspondence. Goodrich teases Griswold about his interest in "Say" or Sarah closing with the advice to "not sigh oftener for her than she does for you. Sigh not but act." A good 1844 campaign lettersheet combining a printed Clay-Frelinghuysen design with manuscript political content on the Whigs abolitionist defections and the electoral consequences of antislavery politics. . unknown books
1844Best.-Nr. 39908Towanda PA 1844. Folio broadside 10-1/8" x 21." Printed in four columns each column separated by a rule. Light to moderate foxing light wear. Good. Signed in type at the bottom by thirty disillusioned local Democrats. Towanda is the county seat of Bradford County the residence of many of the signers including Judge Edward Herrick the first signer. This evidently unrecorded broadside illustrates the impending split in the Democratic Party along sectional lines over the issue of slavery. The signers are "steadfast" Democrats distraught that their Party has nominated James K. Polk of Tennessee as its 1844 presidential candidate. Polk known as the "Dark Horse" candidate "was thrust upon the party as the candidate by the intrigues and management of the NULLIFIERS! italics in original. The instructions and pledges of the delegates were disregarded and Mr. V. Buren and the Democratic party betrayed!" Clay "a statesman of the first order" has always sought to advance the national interest as opposed to parochial concerns. The signers defend his support of protective tariffs and the American System. They applaud his opposition to the annexation of Texas and his warnings that a war with Mexico would result in an expansion of the "odious" system of slavery. Not in Sabin or American Imprints. Not located on OCLC or the online sites of AAS U Penn U TN as of March 2025. unknown books
1844Best.-Nr. 11033New-York 1844. 16mo. 152 28 adv. pp. Sewn lacks wraps. A bit of chipping at edges. Good to Good. An attack on the turncoat John Tyler who was the Whig Harrison's Vice President but betrayed the Whig cause after his own accession to the Presidency upon Harrison's death in 1841. The author supports Henry Clay for President. BAL 11051. AI 44-3548 5. unknown books
1844Best.-Nr. 66208Concord: Hill & Moore November 9 1844. New Hampshire Democrats Celebrate Polk's Victory An ebullient "Extra" issue of the staunchly Democratic New Hampshire Patriot & Daily Gazette celebrating the not-quite-confirmed victory of James K. Polk in the 1844 presidential election. Published by lifelong Democratic partisan and former New Hampshire governor Isaac Hill the New Hampshire Patriot was a long-running political newspaper in that stronghold of Northern Democracy and this illustrated extra issue printed on Saturday November 9 displays the extent to which the editors and indeed the people of Concord rejoiced at the news. The main headline "New York Speaks!!!" refers to the pivotal flip of New York state from Whig to Democrat a fact which when combined with the expected news of a comfortable victory in Virginia more or less clinched the victory for Polk despite the results being out on several other states. While the optimistic figures in this article report a whopping majority for Polk in reality the Democrats won New York by a narrow margin of just one percent. A short article following this news offhandedly reports on a fatal local celebration noting that "A most shocking casualty occurred in Concord last evening while the democrats were celebrating the triumph of Polk and Dallas in New York by the firing of cannon. Mr. John L. Haynes of this town one of the officers of the Columbian Artillery had his left arm almost entirely blown off his right arm dreadfully shattered and his face shockingly burned in the act of ramming down a cartridge. The discharge took place in consequence of the vent not being stopped in the excitement and hurry of the firing." At the top of the central column a small cartoon depicts a man with an oversized steak knife and glass of wine declaring "That roast beef fetch it on!-and them 'two dollars a day!'" referencing William Henry Harrison's 1840 campaign slogan of "Harrison two dollars a day and roast beef." The remainder of the text reports the election results by county in New Hampshire which voted for Polk by a margin of nearly nineteen percent including votes for the ballot issues "On amending Constitution" and "On abolishing capital punishment." An entertaining and ephemeral piece printed at the culmination of a pivotal election. Old folds. Light tanning a few small chips and tears at edges. Very good. BRIGHAM p.444. unknown books
1848Best.-Nr. 34739Newport 1848. 24pp. Disbound printed in two columns per page. Light wear faint blindstamp on final leaf. Good On "the wisdom and good policy" of the Whigs' 1848 nomination of Zachary Taylor and Millard Fillmore for the presidency. The pamphlet soothes the wounds of the failed candidates and their supporters: Winfield Scott the "noble old chief who had just carried the eagles of our Republic in triumph over the mountains of Mexico;" Henry Clay "the gallant chivalrous and accomplished statesman of the West;" Webster "the strong towering giant defender of the constitution of the North." "Circumstances demanded the nomination of another patriotic whig as the standard bearer of our party." Taylor is a man of "TRUTH JUSTICE INTEGRITY FIDELITY and a NOBLE GENEROSITY." In this complicated election the Whigs had to contend not only with the Democrats and their nominee Lewis Cass but also with former President Martin Van Buren and his Free Soil Party. Seeking to hold the votes of anti-slavery Whigs this pamphlet derides Van Buren's last-minute conversion: his record shows a complete subservience to the Slave Power. Sabin 70526. OCLC 25797641 5 as of December 2021. unknown books
1848Best.-Nr. 34421Bangor 1848. Folio sheet folded to 7-3/4" x 10". Printed on first page only; second page blank; third page with a manuscript letter urging the recipient whose last name is Chandler to campaign vigorously for the Taylor-Whig ticket. Very Good. A plea to get out the vote for Taylor. "If Gen. Taylor is elected he will be elected by the free and spontaneous action of the people uninfluenced by money or corruption.The signs are auspicious-- all that is wanted is union activity and organization." The printed letter is signed in type by Edward Kent J. Wingate Carr W.P. Wingate Wm. C. Hammatt Geo. W. Ingersoll and Moses L. Appleton. Not located on OCLC as of June 2026. unknown books
1848Best.-Nr. 7855Washington 1848. 8pp caption title as issued. Disbound else Very Good. A rare 1848 Democratic campaign pamphlet defending President Polk's vetoes. The veto power says his supporter Andrew Johnson "was established to enable the people to resist and repel encroachments on their rights." Since the country's founding Presidents have exercised the veto only 25 times. The document also includes Virginia Congressman Bayly's 1848 speech concurring with Johnson; and "Judge Story's Opinion on the Veto" taken from his Commentaries. Not in Sabin Eberstadt. OCLC 24637860 1- Lancaster Hist. Soc. 976424705 1- U VA as of January 2021. unknown books
1848Best.-Nr. 15121Columbus 1848. 6 2 blanks pp. Caption title as issued disbound. Scattered foxing. Good. Ohio's Whig State Central Committee seeks to galvanize its lethargic troops for the upcoming presidential election. Zachary Taylor is as one of his letters printed here assures "A WHIG AND SHALL EVER BE DEVOTED IN INDIVIDUAL OPINION TO THE PRINCIPLES OF THAT PARTY." A "decided" Whig he is "not ultra." FIRST EDITION. Morgan Collection 8256. Not in Sabin Miles Wise & Cronin Taylor Eberstadt Decker. OCLC 1035828858 1- AAS as of April 2025. Apparently the Ohio Historical Society and Western Reserve also own a copy. unknown books
1848Best.-Nr. 9627np 1848. 16pp disbound and stitched minor scattered spotting. Very Good. NUC attributes authorship to Adams identified here only as "a Whig of the Free States." He is appalled at his Party's impending nomination of Zachary Taylor for the presidency. Taylor a Louisiana slaveholder had never voted or participated in civil affairs. His military career most recently in the Mexican War which northern Whigs had generally opposed as an unconstitutional land-grab for slavery was his only public activity. "He is a Military Chieftain-- and he is a Slave owner and in favor of the Extension of Slavery over new territories." Webster deserves the nomination: "Let there be no wavering none of the contemptible expediency doctrine which leads men to declare in one breath that Mr. Webster is their first choice and to say the next moment that they are ready to vote for General Taylor." FIRST EDITION. Sabin 55816. 3 NUC 0062491. Not in Miles LCP Eberstadt Decker Dumond. unknown books
1848Best.-Nr. 70790Richmond VA 1848. Printed Whig party electoral ticket 6 ½ x 3 ¾ inches the text enclosed within a double-thin rule border. OCLC locates two copies Virginia Library of Virginia. Very good. unknown books
1852Best.-Nr. 27980Boston Fugitive Slave Law Printing on Free Soil Party Broadsheet "a vote for either of the former candidates is as truly a vote in favor of the sustenance defence and encouragement of American slavery in all its hideousness as a vote for the devil were a vote in favor of sin…" This broadsheet prints a summary of the three major party platforms—the "Compromise Democratic" Party the Whig Party and the Free Democratic Free Soil Party—headed with the injunction to "Read Reflect and then Act!" The second page includes the text of the Fugitive Slave Law or "America's Bill of Abominations!!" passed in September 1850 and an editorial by "Alexander" that explains the benefits of the Free Soil Party over the other two parties. ELECTION OF 1852. FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW. Printed Broadsheet Boston Commonwealth Extra July 1852. 2 pp. 25½ x 22 in. Excerpts "The Platforms of the Parties. Read Reflect and then Act!" p1 "The Fugitive Slave Law! America's Bill of Abominations!!" p2 "…Section 6 And be it further enacted That when a person held to service or labor in any State or Territory of the United States has heretofore or shall hereafter escape into another State or Territory of the United States the person or persons to whom such service or labor may be due or his her or their agent or attorney duly authorized by power of attorney in writing acknowledged and certified under the seal of some legal officer or court of the State or Territory in which the same may be executed may pursue and reclaim such fugitive person either by procuring a warrant from some one of the courts judges or commissioners aforesaid of the proper circuit district or county for the apprehension of such fugitive from service or labor or by seizing and arresting such fugitive where the same can be done without process and by taking or causing such person to be taken forthwith before such court judge or commissioner whose duty it shall be to hear and determine the case of such claimant in a summary manner; and upon satisfactory proof being made by deposition or affidavit in writing to be taken and certified by such court judge or commissioner or by other satisfactory testimony duly taken and certified by some court magistrate justice of the peace or other legal officer authorized to administer an oath and take depositions under the laws of the State or Territory from which such person owing service or labor may have escaped with a certificate of such magistracy or other authority as aforesaid with the seal of the proper court or officer thereto attached which seal shall be sufficient to establish the competency of the proof and with proof also by affidavit of the identity of the person whose service or labor is claimed to be due as aforesaid that the person so arrested does in fact owe service or labor to the person or persons claiming him or her in the State or Territory from which such fugitive may have escaped as aforesaid and that said person escaped to make out and deliver to such claimant his or her agent or attorney a certificate setting forth the substantial facts as to the service or labor due from such fugitive to the claimant and of his or her escape from the State or Territory in which he or she was arrested with authority to such claimant or his or her agent or attorney to use such reasonable force and restraint as may be necessary under the circumstances of the case to take and remove such fugitive person back to the State or Territory whence he or she may have escaped as aforesaid. In no trial or hearing under this act shall the testimony of such alleged fugitive be admitted in evidence; and the certificates in this and the first fourth section mentioned shall be conclusive of the right of the person or persons in whose favor granted to remove such fugitive to the State or Territory from which he escaped and shall prevent all molestation of such person or persons by any process issued by any court judge magistrate or other person whomsoever. Section 7 And be it further enacted That any person who shall knowingly and willingly obstruct hinder or prevent such claimant his agent or attorney or any person or persons lawfully assisting him her or them from arresting such a fugitive from service or labor either with or without process as aforesaid or shall rescue or attempt to rescue such fugitive from service or labor from the custody of such claimant his or her agent or attorney or other person or persons lawfully assisting as aforesaid when so arrested pursuant to the authority herein given and declared; or shall aid abet or assist such person so owing service or labor as aforesaid directly or indirectly to escape from such claimant his agent or attorney or other person or persons legally authorized as aforesaid; or shall harbor or conceal such fugitive so as to prevent the discovery and arrest of such person after notice or knowledge of the fact that such person was a fugitive from service or labor as aforesaid shall for either of said offences be subject to a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars and imprisonment not exceeding six months by indictment and conviction before the District Court of the United States for the district in which such offence may have been committed or before the proper court of criminal jurisdiction if committed within any one of the organized Territories of the United States; and shall moreover forfeit and pay by way of civil damages to the party injured by such illegal conduct the sum of one thousand dollars for each fugitive so lost as aforesaid to be recovered by action of debt in any of the District or Territorial Courts aforesaid within whose jurisdiction the said offence may have been committed…" "To the People of the United States!—The Issue Before the Nation!" p2 "We present you this Document for the Campaign in order that its doctrines may be scanned before the minds of men become steeled against the power of just reasoning by the intense zeal and party prejudice of an exciting election. It is a simple and earnest appeal to reason." p2/c1 "The Free Democracy will favor the early policy of the country to limit localize and discourage slavery—the separation of national funds from banking institutions cheap postage a moderate revenue—the election of civil officers by the people—such internal improvements as are national and constitutional—the cordial reception of emigrants and exiles from the old world—the grant of the Public Lands free of cost to landless settlers—the immediate repeal of the Fugitive Slave Law—the recognition of the independence of Hayti—an arrangement in future treaties… "And the said party will oppose the exercise of doubtful constitutional powers—the demand for more slave States new slave territories and the nationalization of slavery—foreign interference with the right of a nation to govern itself." p2/c2 "The intrepid Free Democracy have sought the arena of political strife with a determination to oppose each of these powerful clock-work organizations. They publish a platform which presents a point-blank contrast to either and both the others. They claim the support of the people because their policy is founded in Right and Justice; and because the application of that policy to governmental affairs cannot be secured by the triumph of any other party." p2/c3-4 "While the attitude of the Free Democracy is that of a general championship of the rights of the humbler classes … its position upon the slavery question affords the great contrast and entitles it to the support of the lovers of Freedom and Right." p2/c4 "Whigs and Democrats would sanction slavery by law. The Free Democracy forbid the high-handed endeavor." p2/c4 "It follows that a vote for either of the former candidates is as truly a vote in favor of the sustenance defence and encouragement of American slavery in all its hideousness as a vote for the devil were a vote in favor of sin." p2/c4-5 Historical Background The author of the editorial may have been Alexander De Witt 1798-1879 a former Democrat who joined the Free Soil Party and was one of the six signatories of the "Appeal of the Independent Democrats" in January 1854 in opposition to the Kansas-Nebraska Act. President Zachary Taylor a Whig died in July 1850. His successor Millard Fillmore supported the Compromise of 1850 and enforcement of its stronger Fugitive Slave Law which made him unpopular in the North. At the Whig National Convention in Baltimore the delegates took 53 ballots to choose General Winfield Scott of New Jersey as their presidential candidate. At the Democratic convention also in Baltimore it took 48 ballots to select dark-horse choice Senator Franklin Pierce of New Hampshire as their presidential candidate. The Free Soil Party which opposed the extension of slavery chose Senator John P. Hale of New Hampshire as their presidential candidate. After the Compromise of 1850 many Barnburner Democrats and Conscience Whigs returned to their parties at the expense of the Free Soil Party. With no major policy differences between the Democrats and Whigs the election became a contest of personalities between Scott the anti-slavery war hero of the Mexican War and the pro-slavery Pierce who though eighteen years younger had also served in the war. In the election on November 2 1852 Pierce won 50.8 percent of the popular vote carrying 27 states with 254 electoral votes. Scott's 43.9 percent carried only 4 states with 42 electoral votes. Hale attracted 4.9 percent of the popular vote taking no electoral votes. The Commonwealth 1851-1853 was a newspaper published in Boston daily with occasional supplements under the motto "Circulate the documents." In 1852 it became the official newspaper of the Free Soil Party in Massachusetts. Condition: Very good overall. Boston Commonwealth books
1852Best.-Nr. 43708Boston: Beals Greene & Co 1852. First edition. Stitched self wrappers. A very good copy scant foxing to wrappers vertical mail fold. 24 pp. Two columns. 8vo. At head of title: From the Boston post. Written in response to rumors and allegations from the Whig party that Franklin Pierce was religiously intolerant especially aimed at Irish Catholics. "in American political contests the searching questions ought to be ever as to a candidate ’Is he honest is he capable Is He Faithful to the Constitution’ while an approach to any thing like the popery cry of the British Tory party or an appeal to a sect as such ought to be severely denounced as violative of the spirit of our institutions." Also includes "vote of the towns" the convention of 1850 and the religious test amendments of the Constitution concerning religion Catholic sentiment and more. Not in Miles. Not in Sabin. Beals, Greene, & Co unknown books
1852Best.-Nr. 34357Washington 1852. Caption title as issued. 16pp. At head of title cuts of a farmer plowing with his team of horses; and an arm and hammer surrounded by a wreath. Disbound lightly toned or foxed else Very Good. These Washington D.C. Democrats "possessed of no political suffrage ourselves" warn in this scarce campaign pamphlet against the election of Winfield Scott a career military man and the Whigs' 1852 presidential candidate. Of our past presidents "The only professional soldier was General Taylor who for upwards of forty years had devoted himself exclusively to his profession of arms. If the evils resulting from his election under which we are now suffering had tongues to speak to you you would not soon repeat that error." The enviable qualities of Franklin Pierce the Democrats' nominee and a perfect example of "the northern man with southern principles" are trumpeted. Trashing the short presidency of General Taylor the pamphlet finds telling parallels in the career of General Scott. "All who know him know his weakness his egotism his aristocratic haughtiness." To boot "General Scott's opinions on the slavery question are hostile to the interests and safety of the South and to the patriotic opinions of the northern democracy. He fraternizes with such fanatics as Seward Hale Sumner Garrison Phillips and Gerritt sic Smith." OCLC 23149127 5 as of August 2021. Not in Miles. unknown books