All on Hobbies, Gee up, Gee Ho
date: label: Date made
content: 1838
name: label: depicted
content: Van Buren, Martin
label: depicted
content: Harrison, William Henry
label: depicted
content: Calhoun, John Caldwell
label: depicted
content: Adams, John Quincy
label: depicted
content: Benton, Thomas Hart
label: depicted
content: Clay, Henry
label: depicted
content: Webster, Daniel
label: maker
content: Robinson, Henry R.
label: artist
content: Clay, Edward Williams
notes: label: Description (Brief)
content: This 1838 print features seven well known politicians riding hobby horses labeled with their favorite issues. In the front, is President Martin Van Buren riding “Sub Treasury,” followed by Missouri Senator Thomas Hart Benton on “Specie Currency,” and Kentucky Senator Henry Clay and Massachusetts Senator Daniel Webster both on “United States’ Bank.” Following them, is South Carolina Senator John C. Calhoun riding “States Rights and Nullification,” William Henry Harrison in full military dress on “Anti-Masonic,” and John Quincy Adams bringing up the rear on “Abolition.” All seven men are commenting on the advantage of the horse they are riding. Van Buren expresses his thanks for his “Old Hickory nag,” referencing his predecessor’s influence on his desire for a “Sub Treasury.” Benton, a key proponent in the passing of the Specie Circular requiring that government land be purchases with gold or silver, states, “My Golden Pony carries more weight than any of them.” Clay and Webster, both advocates for the National Bank, argue about who will get to stay on the issue, with Clay saying, “Either you or I must get off Dan, for this horse won’t carry double.” Calhoun who worked tirelessly on “States Rights and Nullification” to protect the interest of his home state of South Carolina, remarks that as long as he keeps up with “Matty” he will be fine. While Harrison was ultimately elected as a Whig, he was first nominated as a member of the Anti-Masonic Party. He says, “my nag goes at a pretty easy pace, but unless there is another Morgan abduction, I’m afraid he’ll lose his wind.” The Morgan abduction he is referring to was the basis of the Anti-Masonic Party, as they formed after the disappearance of Masonic critic, William Morgan. It was a short lived party, and most of them like Harrison, joined the Whig Party. Quincy Adams who is bringing up the rear, is on a horse pointed in a different direction. He was known for his passionate anti-slavery remarks in Congress, but his issue was not taken up under the Van Buren administration.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
place: label: place made
content: United States: New York, New York City
topic: label: Subject
content: Economy
label: Subject
content: Political Parties
label: Subject
content: Political Caricatures
label: Subject
content: Horses
label: Subject
content: Chronology: 1830-1839
label: Subject
content: Uniforms, Military
label: Subject
content: Reform Movements
label: Subject
content: Blacks
label: Subject
content: Toys
setName: label: See more items in
content: Home and Community Life: Domestic Life
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content: Clothing & Accessories
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content: Peters Political Prints
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content: Art
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content: Domestic Furnishings
creditLine: label: Credit Line
content: Harry T. Peters "America on Stone" Lithography Collection
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: DL.60.3422
label: catalog number
content: 60.3422
objectType: label: Object Name
content: Lithograph
label: Object Type
content: Lithograph
physicalDescription: label: Measurements
content: image: 9 3/8 in x 18 in; 23.8125 cm x 45.72 cm