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Re-union on the Secesh-Democratic Plan

Publisher Currier & Ives American
Sitter Jefferson Davis American
1862
Not on view
Made early in the American Civil War, this political satire responds cynically to efforts by the Democratic party to pursue a negotiated end to Southern secession. Shown at left, dressed as a Southern Planter, Jefferson Davis, the President of the Confederacy carries pistols, a whip and chain attached to an enslaved Black man. At right is Brother Jonathan, a personification of America that pre-dated Uncle Sam, staggers under a huge bundle labeled "Confederate Debt $650,000,000" and "Federal Debt $1500,000,000," as well as the Black man chained by Davis.The latter says, "Well Jonathan, if you agree to bear all the expenses of the war, and on top of that let me impose on you the old burden of slavery, while I hold the chain and the whip, I'll put up my weapons for a while and we'll have the 'Union as it was' only a great deal more so."
Jonathan replies, "Anything my 'erring brother' for the sake of getting our party once more into power; although with this burden to carry the path of peace 'will be a hard road to travel."

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Re-union on the Secesh-Democratic Plan
  • Publisher: Currier & Ives (American, active New York, 1857–1907)
  • Sitter: Jefferson Davis (American, Fairview, Kentucky 1808–1889 New Orleans, Louisiana)
  • Date: 1862
  • Medium: Lithograph
  • Dimensions: Image: 9 13/16 × 14 5/16 in. (24.9 × 36.3 cm)
    Sheet: 13 9/16 in. × 18 in. (34.4 × 45.7 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: Gift of A. S. Colgate, 1952
  • Object Number: 52.632.177
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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