'McClellan for President. Air: Pompey Moore'.
New York: H. DeMarsan, 1864. First printing. Broadside. Civil War political song sheet printed in New York City with the lyrics to a song by John C. Cross supporting McClellan in the presidential election of 1864.
The song sheet consists three printed nine line stanzas within ornamental borders depicting military and naval scenes.
The first stanza describes McClellan as the man who will "stand by the Laws and Constitution", while the second stanza attacks Abraham Lincoln's conduct of the War with the following lines:
"It's now three years and more since this bloody war began,
And as yet there's no sign of its ending;
Now Union folks do know that Abe Lincoln don't want peace,
But to ruin he is fast our Country sending.
He can't have his own way;
The people soon will say
Who shall hold the reins of power;
For, spades will soon be trumps: how are you Abraham?
And Little Mac the Nation's right bower."
In the 1864 election, incumbent president Lincoln ran for reelection against Democratic candidate and ex-general George B. McClellan, who wanted to portray himself to the public as the "peace candidate" and bring the Civil War to a quick end. Lincoln won the electoral college by an overwhelming margin.
During the Civil War General McClellan (1826 - 1885) commanded the Army of the Potomac but failed to aggressively engage General Robert E. Lee's Army of the Potomac. He was insubordinate to Lincoln and scornful of him, believing that he had a better grasp of what the nation needed militarily and politically. Lincoln removed him from command in November of 1862 and named General Ambrose Burnside as the commander.
6 1/2 x 9 3/4". This copy looks like it has been removed from a board, leaving two v-shaped losses in the top margin, affecting the decorative border. Somewhat browned with contemporary folds and a couple of chips in the margins. OCLC. 17185060 records 4 copies at the New York Historical Society, New York University, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, and Brown University. Good -. Item #22757
Price: $375.00