Campaign broadside, written on behalf of George M. Steinman, Democratic candidate for Congress opposing Thaddeus Stevens
Description
Reproduction of an [1862] campaign broadside. "To the people of Lancaster County! A few facts in the political history of Thaddeus Stevens." Written on behalf of George M. Steinman, Democratic candidate for Congress opposing Thaddeus Stevens. An 1843 letter written by Henry Clay to Rev. Colton, in which he expresses opposition to Abolition and supports States rights regarding the institution of slavery, is added at the bottom of the broadside.
"The people of Lancaster County have the case fairly stated, and it will be for them to determine at the ballot box, whether they will be any longer willing to basely bow the knee to the dark spirit of Abolitionism, which broods over our once happy country like a death pall, and saddle themselves and their posterity with a grievous burthen of debt to free and support in idleness four millions of negroes; or whether, by electing George M. Steinman, a pure and honest man, and a true patriot, they will cling to the Constitution and the Union of our fathers, as 'the shipwrecked mariner clings to the last plank, when night and the tempest close around him,' to use the language of the great Webster, and drive the foul spirits of disunion--Abolitionism and secession--'to the vile depths from which they sprung, unwept, unhonored, and unsung.'"
Reproduction on vinyl from the original at Yale University, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library (Folio BrSides Cb4A 1862).
Preferred Citation: Title or description of item, date (day, month, year), Thaddeus Stevens Collection (MG0115), Part 1, Folder # or Object ID, LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. URL if applicable. Date accessed (day, month, year).
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Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Other Numbers
MG-115, Part 1
Other Number
MG-115, Part 1, Oversized Box 1, Oversized Folder 2
Classification
MG0115
Description Level
Item
Custodial History
Added to database 21 February 2024.
Digitization of this document was funded by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, PHMC Appl ID # 202010016624, 2020-2023.
Bilingual broadside printed on rag paper, advertising Benjamin Schaum's Hardware store on North Queen St., Lancaster. The ad begins in English with a note of thanks to Schaum's customers for their business. Next are lists of items available for purchase, including bar, rod, hoop and sheet iron, steel "Of every Description and Manufacture", glass, paintes, oil, varnishes, stoves, cedar and pewter wares, grindstones, spikes, nail, and brads. There are also illustrations of additional products, including a plane, anvil, and clamp.
The ad is also printed in German in the bottom quarter of the page, and at the very bottom is the printer's name, William Albright, and the location opposite the Market House, Lancaster.
Heavy creases down the center and across the middle. Some tears at various places along the edges, esp. 3" in from the lower left corner, and 2" up from the lower right corner. Apparent transfer of ink from another printed item visible.
Object ID
P.91.02
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Credit
Gift of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Broadside printed on white wove paper (now darkened) has bold title at top: "Haus-Segen." The smaller subtitle of two lines reads: "Das mogen meine Kinder lesen,/ Wenn ich in der Erde thu' verwesen." (Apparently "These words are something my children should desire to read when I am moldering in the grave".)
Within a variant of the Greek key border is the printed text, done in old German type. Underneath the two titles there are two columns of text, each with 28 lines. Text is a religious theme done in rhyming couplets. The name "David L. Beiler" is printed at bottom right. Beiler is most likely an Old Order Amish printer.
Broadside had been folded back along all four sides to make it fit a wooden frame (not original, since other screw holes indicate a previous use). Old acidic cardboard backing was originally used as a backing for an early 20th century photo of a group of firefighters dressed in full uniform with musical instruments, titled "Junior Fire Company -- Reading, PA." Photocopy of fire company in object file.
Provenance
Seller purchased broadside at Horst Auction, April 16, 2003, a sale of household goods consigned by Ruth E. Stoltzfus (Mrs. Morris A. Stoltzfus). There were a number of Amish items for sale that seller believes the family obviously had in storage for many years. Morris and Ruth Stoltzfus were far removed from Morris' Amish roots and would not have valued or displayed them. Mrs. Stoltzfus has since died (6-25-03). See obit. in object file.
Clarke Hess says David Luthy (Canada) would know who this David L. Beiler was. The 3 candidates in the Fisher book appear to all be too recent.
Darkened, some "bleached" damp-stained corners & edges, minor foxing. Embrittled and fragile; all edges folded over with resulting tears including nearly detached section at center left and upper left. Involved tear extends upward from bottom, 2" from bottom right corner. Another is 1" to left of upper right corner. Several interior tears at "Haus" and as well as several holes (near lower left corner and throughout lower right quadrant. Paper strip 1 1/4" wide pasted along upper edge at fold line. Acidic cardboard backing removed. Later conserved by Maria Pukownik (returned Feb.2004 - CD w/ photos in file). Then framed for 2006 Printed Word Exhibit.
Object ID
P.03.20.2
Notes
David Luthy is an Old Order Amish writer and editor for Pathway Publishers. (Their address: 10380 Carter Road, Aylmer, ON N5H 2R3). Clarke E. Hess suggests contacting him to learn the identity of David L. Beiler.
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Credit
Gift of V. Ronald Smith, Heritage Center Collection
Includes a 6-county area (Dauphin, Lebanon, Berks,York, Lancaster & Chester) with small black squares marking locations of banks. Around periphery are 6 drawings, one from each county: State capitol bldg., Cornwall Furnace, Boone Homestead, Valley Forge Arch, Rock Ford Plantation and Gold Plough Tavern & General Gates House.
