Circa 1864 – A satirical broadside recommending that Copperheads participate in a purification process before voting in the 1864 presidential election

1864. Unbound. Very good. A Free Pass. Entitling the holder to the tender mercies of the Constitutional Purifying Association. . .. No publisher or date noted. 6.25” x 9”. Minor foxing. No rips, tears, folds or missing pieces. One pinhole chip at the bottom margin. Overall, in nice shape. The title continues:

Who will guarantee to cleanse every particle of Copperheadism from our nature – so you will be able to Vote for an honest man without prejudice..

The broadside features a cartoon illustration of “The Purification Process,” a series of challenges overseen by soldiers including a blanket toss, a slide down a plank into a barrel of liquid, an attempt to navigate an obstacle-strewn path while carrying a cross, and being drug across a series of logs. An elaborate candle-illuminated altar and coffin are shown in the center.

. This was published before the 1864 presidential election in which Lincoln was challenged by General McClallan. It targets Copperheads, i.e., “Peace Democrats” who believed the Civil War was unconstitutional and advocated allowing the South to continue to practice chattel slavery if it agreed to peacefully rejoin the Union. While Copperhead sentiment was strong in some states, like Ohio, after General Sherman captured Atlanta in September of 1864 and began his march through Georgia, the movement collapsed. This broadside was likely printed between then and the election the following November.

(See Weitenkampf. P. 140.)

Quite scarce. At the time of listing, there is one other example (with toning, soiling, and a large chip) listed for sale in the trade. The Rare Book Hub shows one example has appeared at auction. OCLC shows examples are held at five institutions.