Introduction
Source: Library of Congress, LC-DIG-pga-04636.
This satirical print uses the popular folk-art trope of the “life and ages of man” to illustrate the progressive and inevitable corruption of the party-patronage system characteristic of New York politics in the antebellum period. Although the early stages seem innocent enough (treating one’s supporter to a drink), it is clear that the artist regards all attempts to persuade voters with appeals to anything other than reason are suspect.
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