About this image...
Image Title: The Presidential Fishing Party Of 1848
Creator: N. Currier (Firm),
Date: 1848
Summary: The cartoonist takes a dim view of all but Zachary Taylor's chances for the presidency in his commentary on the election campaign of 1848. The candidates fish from opposing banks of a river filled with fish bearing the names of the states. On the right bank, on a firm rock marked "Constitution," stands Taylor. The fish swarm about his line, most of them hooked on its multiple leaders, "Ohio" being prominent in the center. He announces, "I know of no better Rock than this to stand upon, for I have always noticed, that though the fish may wander off now and then, they are sure to come back to this spot, knowing that here they will find the most wholesome food." The sun shines on the right half of the picture, where Taylor and another man (further upstream) fish. In contrast it rains on the left bank, where the other candidates stand. Directly across from Taylor is Free Soil candidate Martin Van Buren, standing on "Free Soil" and fishing with a pole whose line has broken. His hat has fallen into the water where Van Buren's only fish, "New York," swims with his broken tackle toward Taylor's line. Behind Van Buren is a cabbage patch, recalling the Kinderhhook cabbages of earlier campaign lore. He complains, "They [the fish] are not quite so fond of this side of the stream as I expected, and my hook and line has been used so often it has grown too old and rusty to hold anything." Further upstream stand Democrat Lewis Cass and Liberty party candidate John Hale, who commiserate on their poor catch. Cass says, "I don't get a bite. This confounded river is so filled with weeds, that my line gets caught every time I throw in. I wish that I had advocated the power of Congress to make improvements in Rivers and Harbors." Hale adds, "I may as well pull up and go home, Matty's got my bait, I stand no chance."
Subjects: Cass, Lewis,--1782-1866
Fishing--1840-1850
Free Soil Party (U.S.)
Hale, John P.--(John Parker),--1806-1873
Liberty Party (U.S. : 1840-1848)
Presidential elections--United States--1840-1850
Taylor, Zachary,--1784-1850
Van Buren, Martin,--1782-1862
Original Media: Lithograph
Collections: Cartoon Prints, American » more info...
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