Content note: Dialect caricature of an Irish-American figure ('By Jabbers') and the period label 'wooly Hoss' for an antislavery politician, shown as published. This object is shown as it was published. Why
"The Grand National Fight" (Democratic print, 1856)
Boxing-ring cartoon of the three-way race billed as "2 against 1": a standing Buchanan has just floored Fillmore and squares off against Frémont, while Buchanan's own second at far left cheers "Old Bucky knocks 'em". The tells: Buchanan is shown winning before the vote (bandwagon) and the second at far right, on Frémont's side, urges him on as "wooly Hoss" (loaded label).
- Date
- 1856
- Period
- Pre-1914
- Made by
- John Childs, Philadelphia (publisher); probably drawn by John L. Magee
- Region
- North America
- Country
- United States
- Medium
- Cartoon
- Issuer type
- Media
- Regime
- Pierce Administration
- Leader
- Franklin Pierce
- Audience
- Domestic public
- Purpose
- Persuade or win support
- Event
- 1856 US Election
- Techniques
- BandwagonName-calling
- Source
- Identified Openly sourced: the speaker is who they say they are
- Source
- Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, retrieved October 2, 2026
- Rights
- Public domain: published 1856, US; LOC: "No known restrictions on publication."
LC-USZ62-92030; John Childs (publisher), Philadelphia, 1856; Library of Congress, Stern Collection
Text on the object
By Jabbers but Old Bucky knocks'em [balloon, seconds-man at far left] Look out now Young Mariposa for that hair on your face I will put on the Right when you least expect it! [balloon, Buchanan] Come to time, Old Buck; I think I can lick a Democrat as old again as you are! [balloon, Frémont] You see, Fremont, I'm down! There must be a good many drops of "Democratic Blood" in that arm of Old Buck's to strike such a stunning blow! [balloon, fallen Fillmore] Go in wooly Hoss dont be afeard [balloon, seconds-man at far right] THE GRAND NATIONAL FIGHT 2 AGAINST 1 FOUGHT ON THE 6th NOV. 1856 for One Hundred Thousand Dollars Published by J. Childs 84 So 3rd St. Phila. [imprint, small and blurred in the scan]
Balloon wording is read from a 1536 px grayscale scan with some blur: "put on the Right" may read "put in the Right" (LOC transcribes "in"), and "afeard" is read as LOC does. Faint pencil names under the figures (Buchanan, Frémont, Fillmore) are library annotations, not part of the print.
