"Virtuous Harry, or Set a Thief to Catch a Thief!"

This cartoon is a satire on the Whig party's anti-annexation platform. The question of whether or not to annex Texas was an issue separating candidates in the 1844 presidential campaign. Annexation's implications for the future of slavery in the United States divided voters between Polk, who supported it, and Clay, who opposed it. Texas, personified as an elegant and beautiful young woman, stands between presidential candidates Clay and Polk. Polk tips his hat and takes her hand saying, "Welcome, sister, Your Valor has won you liberty and independence, and you have fairly won the right to be identified with 'the land of the brave, and the home of the free.'" She replies, "Shall the slanders that have been urged against your sister, sever those whose blood flows from the same fountain?" George M. Dallas, standing to the left of Polk, comments, "Slandered as she is, let him that is without sin, cast the first stone at her!" Clay stands with his arms folded and piously says, "Stand back, Madam Texas! for we are more holy than thou! Do you think we will have anything to do with gamblers, horse-racers, and licentious profligates?" A Quaker taps Clay on the shoulder and reminds him, "Softly, Softly, friend Harry. Thou hast mentioned the very reason that we cannot Vote for thee!"

Date:
1844
Original Format:
Fine Print Illustration
Item#:
10.048a
Height:
2369px
Width:
2961px
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