Cass & his cabinet in 1849

Cass and his cabinet in 1849. The satire imputes to the Democrats of 1848, led by candidate Lewis Cass, the corrupt practices of the Van Buren-era party. The artist also criticizes Whig repudiation of stalwart party leader Henry Clay in favor of the independent Zachary Taylor in its 1848 presidential nomination. Cass stands at the head of a table before a paper marked Democratic Platform, addressing his Cabinet composed of old-line Democrats including (left to right) Van Buren's postmaster general Amos Kendall, his treasury secretary Levi Woodbury, former Van Buren Senate allies John Calhoun and Thomas Hart Benton, and Democratic senators Sam Houston and William Allen. Cass: Gentlemen, we stand on the Democratic Platform, that is, to Reward our Friends, rewarding of enemies and deserting of Friends is what caused the breaking up of the Whig Party. Kendall, with a document Post-Office Reform before him: Mr. President, I think you had better state to the gentlemen present what our Principles are and what we intend to carry out. Woodbury, holding a rolled document titled New Hampshire says: The Whig Party ought to be broke up for ever, for putting aside Clay and sticking a man in his place that has no principle or Party. South Carolina Senator Calhoun, writing a paper Free Trade S.C. comments: I think after all the northern Dough Faces must feel rather flat, to think we won't go their bastard whig ticket. rather green that. Benton adds: Feel flat, why they are used to that, they always have their own way, Except upon Election day! Houston, with Missouri Claims, agrees: Yes, and the day after the Election they say it was a dam'd Locofoco cheat, and that the Irish and Dutch both Voted against them. Senator Allen concludes: Gentleman, I agree with you all, we must turn out every man that does not stand on the Platform, it will not do to have any spies in our camp.. Date 1848. Cass and his cabinet in 1849. The satire imputes to the Democrats of 1848, led by candidate Lewis Cass, the corrupt practices of the Van Buren-era party. The artist also criticizes Whig repudiation of stalwart party leader Henry Clay in favor of the independent Zachary Taylor in its 1848 presidential nomination. Cass stands at the head of a table before a paper marked Democratic Platform, addressing his Cabinet composed of old-line Democrats including (left to right) Van Buren's postmaster general Amos Kendall, his treasury secretary Levi Woodbury, former Van Buren Senate allies John Calhoun and Thomas Hart Benton, and Democratic senators Sam Houston and William Allen. Cass: Gentlemen, we stand on the Democratic Platform, that is, to Reward our Friends, rewarding of enemies and deserting of Friends is what caused the breaking up of the Whig Party. Kendall, with a document Post-Office Reform before him: Mr. President, I think you had better state to the gentlemen present what our Principles are and what we intend to carry out. Woodbury, holding a rolled document titled New Hampshire says: The Whig Party ought to be broke up for ever, for putting aside Clay and sticking a man in his place that has no principle or Party. South Carolina Senator Calhoun, writing a paper Free Trade S.C. comments: I think after all the northern Dough Faces must feel rather flat, to think we won't go their bastard whig ticket. rather green that. Benton adds: Feel flat, why they are used to that, they always have their own way, Except upon Election day! Houston, with Missouri Claims, agrees: Yes, and the day after the Election they say it was a dam'd Locofoco cheat, and that the Irish and Dutch both Voted against them. Senator Allen concludes: Gentleman, I agree with you all, we must turn out every man that does not stand on the Platform, it will not do to have any spies in our camp.. Date 1848

Picture No

10603677

Media ID

47460753

Size

3732px x 2560px (1.3MB)

Credit

Mary Evans / Library of Congress

Usage Restrictions

Editorial use only without prior approval