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Photo, Print, Drawing What's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander

[ digital file from b&w film copy neg. ]

About this Item

Title

  • What's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander

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."

Names

  • Clay, Edward Williams, 1799-1857.

Created / Published

  • N.Y. : [s.n.], 1851.

Headings

  • -  Garrison, William Lloyd,--1805-1879
  • -  Seward, William H.--(William Henry),--1801-1872
  • -  United States.--Fugitive slave law (1850)
  • -  African Americans--1850-1860
  • -  South Carolina--1850-1860
  • -  Abolition movement--1850-1860
  • -  Slavery--1850-1860

Headings

  • Lithographs--1850-1860.
  • Political cartoons--1850-1860.

Genre

  • Lithographs--1850-1860
  • Political cartoons--1850-1860

Notes

  • -  Entered . . . 1851 by E.W. Clay . . . Southern District of N.Y.
  • -  Pub. at 152 Nassau St. corner of Spruce N.Y.
  • -  Signed with initials: E.W.C. (Edward Williams Clay).
  • -  The Library's impression of the print was deposited for copyright on January 22, 1851.
  • -  Title appears as it is written on the item.
  • -  Century, p. 70.
  • -  Weitenkampf, p. 103.
  • -  Forms part of: American cartoon print filing series (Library of Congress)
  • -  Published in: American political prints, 1766-1876 / Bernard F. Reilly. Boston : G.K. Hall, 1991, entry 1851-5.

Medium

  • 1 print : lithograph on wove paper ; 27.7 x 43.9 cm. (image)

Call Number/Physical Location

  • PC/US - 1851.C619, no. 41 (B size) [P&P]

Source Collection

  • American cartoon print filing series (Library of Congress)

Repository

Digital Id

  • cph 3b36093 //hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cph.3b36093

Library of Congress Control Number

  • 2008661533

Reproduction Number

  • LC-USZ62-89722 (b&w film copy neg.)

Rights Advisory

  • No known restrictions on publication.

Online Format

  • image

Additional Metadata Formats

Rights & Access

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  • Rights Advisory: No known restrictions on publication.
  • Reproduction Number: LC-USZ62-89722 (b&w film copy neg.)
  • Call Number: PC/US - 1851.C619, no. 41 (B size) [P&P]
  • Access Advisory: ---

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Cite This Item

Citations are generated automatically from bibliographic data as a convenience, and may not be complete or accurate.

Chicago citation style:

Clay, Edward Williams. What's Sauce for the Goose Is Sauce for the Gander. South Carolina, 1851. [N.Y.: s.n] Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2008661533/.

APA citation style:

Clay, E. W. (1851) What's Sauce for the Goose Is Sauce for the Gander. South Carolina, 1851. [N.Y.: s.n] [Photograph] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2008661533/.

MLA citation style:

Clay, Edward Williams. What's Sauce for the Goose Is Sauce for the Gander. [N.Y.: s.n] Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/2008661533/>.