1852

17A-1066542

17B-1066543

The 1852 campaign focused on personalities rather than issues(17A-1066542). The Whig nomination went to Winfield Scott, running on his reputation as a general in the Mexican War. Although supposedly in support of Clay's Compromise of 1850, he was known to be influenced by William H. Seward, a critic of the Compromise (17B-1066543). Franklin Pierce, a virtual unknown, had a clear record and an innocuous past to recommend him. Nevertheless, cartoonists managed to find ample subject matter; they poked fun at Pierce's supposed fainting spell in the war and at his alleged alcoholism, though at the time of the election he was a good temperance man (17C-1066544, 17D-1066545).

They also ridiculed the support of the Democratic Party for the fugitive slave law; this cartoon employs some devices seen earlier: the use of the devil and of the "spirit" of the "Founding Fathers" peering down with comments from above (17E-1066546)

17C-1066544

Poor prediction appears once more in this cartoon, where Scott pulls the presidential chair out from under Pierce (17F-1066547). This cartoon depicts Scott bumbling his way towards the White House, while Pierce, upholding the Union and the Compromise, rides up easily in the background (17G-1066548). This prophecy proved true: Pierce was elected.