rail-splitter’s new tools

Almost a year and a half ago Democrats in Seneca Falls, New York formed a McClellan Club. Here’s a report about an organization in New York City that supported President Lincoln and the Union. One of the speakers modified the image of Lincoln as rail-splitter. The president was using the Emancipation Proclamation and the North’s army to splinter those who initially splintered the Union.

From The New-York Times February 12, 1864:

Meeting of the Union Lincoln Association.

rail-splitter with maul in 1860 race

There was a very large attendance at Hope Chapel last evening, on the occasion of the second regular meeting of the Union Lincoln Association. Communications were read from Hon. ISAAC ARNOLD, of Illinois, and Mr. D.S. GREGORY, both expressive of sympathy with the object of the association.

Mr. S.S. WYCKOFF was elected Treasurer of the association.

The President, Mr. SIMEON DRAPER, made a preliminary and laudatorys speech upon Mr. LINCOLN, and was followed Dy Mr. HENRY S. SMITH, who announced himself as having watched every movement of Mr. LINCOLN, and had come to the conclusion that the country could not afford to lose him as head of the Government.

Mr. SMITH was followed by Judge QUACKENBUSH, who said that in the last three years Mr. LINCOLN had lived thirty. Mr. QUACKENBUSH detailed the state of the country, and of the North, when Mr. LINCOLN came into office, stated a number of his successive acts, and closed by observing of the Emancipation proclamation, that it contained more meaning in fewer words, than any document, except the Lord’s Prayer and the Declaration of Independence. It made not only the negro free, but the white man, for he felt himself now able to speak his sentiments in every spot where waved the American flag. He could now assert the right everywhere of freedom to all. At one time, had he done so near the grave of his country’s founder, he would have received a cheap costume of tar and feathers.

rail-splitter pens Emancipation with maul on floor

The speaker concluded by disclaiming any motlves of self-interest whatever in the founders of the assiociation.

Mr. JAMES D. MCCLELLAN was then introduced. In speaking of the Proclamation, he said that President LINCOLN hurled it against the rebellion, and shattered its gigantic form. He alluded to the sneers against Mr. LINCOLN in regard to his being a rail-splitter. He thanked God that he had been a rail-splitter. He had split the Southern Confederacy into so many rails that all the cabinetmakers in creation could not glue them together again. BUTLER, BANKS and GRANT were his hatchets and axes, and they split it up so well that abundant splinters in the shape of JEFF. DAVIS and coadjutors might soon be expected to fly to parts unknown.

The meeting then adjourned to Thursday next.

If it’s the same Hope Chapel, it is a place remembered for holding memorials for John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King.

You can read about the political cartoon and the painting at the Library of Congress.