The Last Rail Split by ‘Honest Old Abe’

The Last Rail Split by ‘Honest Old Abe’

TheLastRailSplit

Title: The Last Rail Split by ‘Honest Old Abe’

Year: 1860

Creator: Frank Maurer, Engraving, Momus

Description: The rail which Abraham Lincoln is splitting with a wedge is identified as the Democratic Party, which was actually in the process of splitting itself after multiple national conventions produced two presidential candidates – Kentuckian John Breckinridge and Illinoisan Stephen Douglas. The cartoon reflected the popular image of Mr. Lincoln as a railsplitter – skillfully created by the presentation of two rails at the Illinois Republican State Convention in early May.

URL: http://www.mrlincolnandfriends.org/last-rail/