Lesson 9 Document 1
TITLE: What's sauce for the goose is sauce for the
gander
CALL NUMBER: PC/US - 1851.C619, no. 41 (B size)
<P&P>[P&P]
REPRODUCTION NUMBER: LC-USZ62-89722 (b&w film
copy neg.)
SUMMARY: The opposition of Northern abolitionists,
churchmen, and political figures to enforcement of the Fugitive Slave Act of
1850 is criticized in this rare pro-Southern cartoon. In two panels artist
Edward Williams Clay illustrates the abolitionist's invocation of a "higher
law" against the claim of a slave owner, and the application of the same
principle against the Northerner in a case of stolen textiles. In the left panel
a slaveholder "Mr. Palmetto" and a federal marshal confront an
abolitionist "Mr. Pumpkindoodle" and a garishly dressed, runaway slave
"Pompey" in a warehouse or shop interior. On the counter is a copy of
the newspaper the "Emancipator." Palmetto: ". . . I've come here
to take that fugitive slave who belongs to me, according to the provisions of
the U. S. law! Officer do your duty!" Pumpkindoodle (handing a pistol to
the slave): "What! seize my African brother! never! I dont recognize any
U.S. law! I have a higher law, a law of my own. here Pompey take this pistol and
resist to the death! if he attempts to take you!" Pompey (trembling):
"Ye yes sa! I'll try, cause brudders [antislavery senator from New York
William H.] Seward and [abolitionist William Lloyd] Garrison says its all right;
and so does Parson Squash! But I'm mighty feared." Federal marshal:
"Whew! I think I'd better make myself scarce!" In the panel on the
right, the same abolitionist approaches the seated slaveholder in the latter's
shop. A sturdy slave "Cesar" and a grinning attendant stand by. On the
counter are several bolts of fabric, labeled "Bay State Shawls,"
"Cotton Shirting," "Domestic Prints," "Amoskeag
Ticks," "Lowels Negro Cloth" and "Hamilton Long Cloth."
A copy of the "Charleston Mercury" lies open on Palmetto's lap.
Pumpkindoodle: "Look here Mr. Palmetto them 'ere goods is mine! They've
been stole from me, and if you dont give 'em up, I'll take the law of the land
on you!" Palmetto: ". . . They are fugitives from you, are they? As to
the law of the land, I have a higher law of my own, and possession is nine
points in the law. I cant cotton to you. Kick out the abolitionist Cesar."
Cesar: "Of course Massa. De dam Bobolitionist is the wus enemy we poor
niggers have got."
MEDIUM: 1 print : lithograph on wove paper ; 27.7 x
43.9 cm (image)
CREATED/PUBLISHED: 1851.
RELATED NAMES: Clay,
Edward Williams.
NOTES:
Title appears as it is written on the item. Signed with initials: EWC [Edward Williams Clay]. Pub. at 152 Nassau St. Cor. of Spruce N.Y. Entered . . . 1851 by E.W. Clay . . . Southern District of N.Y. The Library's impression of the print was deposited for copyright on January 22, 1851.
Weitenkampf, p. 103
Century, p. 70
Use surrogate: either electronic image or Reilly's American Political Prints book illustration.
Published in: American political prints, 1766-1876 / Bernard F. Reilly. Boston : G.K. Hall, 1991, entry 1851-5.
