The Split-Tail Democracy

The Split-Tail Democracy

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Title: The Split-Tail Democracy

Year: 1860

Creator: The Rail-Splitter, Chicago

Description: In this Chicago Rail Splitter cartoon, Republican Abraham Lincoln has used a trap made of a rail to capture the twin possums of the Democratic Party: the presidential nominees of its Northern and Southern factions, Senator Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois (right) and Vice President John C. Breckinridge of Kentucky (left).

The deed is done, their day is o’er,
Two possums fought at Baltimore;
Now let them scratch, now let them wail,
Old Abr’m has them ‘in a rail.’

URL: http://elections.harpweek.com/1860/cartoons-1860f.asp?UniqueID=48&Year=1860