The Political Gymnasium

Title: The Political Gymnasium

Year: 1860

Creator: Louis Maurer, Currier and Ives, New York

Description: The people in this cartoon are Edward Everett, John Bell, Horace Greeley, James W. Webb, Abraham Lincoln, Stephen A. Douglas, John C. Breckinridge, and William H. Seward. Greeley swings from a bar labeled “Nom. for Governor” while Lincoln climbs on a rail labeled “For President.” They are saying:
Everett: “There is nothing like having the Constitution to give us strength to put up this Bell successfully.” Bell: “I have perfect confidence in Mr. Everett’s ability to uphold me.”
Greeley: “I’ve been practising at it a long time, but can never get up muscle enough to get astride of this bar.”
Lincoln: “You must do as I did Geeley, get somebody to give you a boost. I’m sure I never could have got up here by my own efforts.”
Webb: “I’ll bet a quarter I can beat any man in the party at turning political summersets.”
Douglas: “Come at me Breck, and after you cry enough I’ll take a round with the rest of them.”
Breckinridge: “If I do nothing else I can at least prevent you from pulling Lincoln down.”
Seward: “You’d better be careful my friend, that you don’t tumble off as I did before I was fairly on, for if you do, you’ll be as badly crippled as I am.”