THE SOFTS THE TRUE DEMOCRACY OF THE STATE OF NEW-YORK. MAY 25TH, 1856
by New York Democratic Party
- Used
- Condition
- See description
- Seller
-
Woodbridge, Connecticut, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
New York, 1856. 72pp. Disbound, light dusting and foxing, light wear. Good+.
A scarce explanation of New York's arcane, hard-fought feuds within the Democratic Party: "Hards" vs. "Softs," "Hunkers" vs. "Barnburners." As the slavery crisis heated, New York Democrats who inclined toward the Free Soil policies of Martin Van Buren came to be known as Barnburners, because they allegedly would destroy the Party [burn the barn down] in their zeal to defeat slavery. "Regular" Democrats were "Hunkers," for hankering after and hungering for spoils of office.
Hunkers wishing to bury the hatchet with Barnburners "softened" their animus; the Hunkers' "rule or ruin" faction tauntingly referred to their erstwhile allies as "Softs." The "demagogue Hunkers"-- that is, those who opposed the Grand Compromise between Hunkers and Barnburners-- were "Hards" or "Hard Shell." Softs and Hards sought control of the State Party in 1856; the presidential convention in Cincinnati would pick the winner. The author is a "Soft."
FIRST EDITION. LCP 9591. Sabin 86211. Not in Eberstadt, Decker.
A scarce explanation of New York's arcane, hard-fought feuds within the Democratic Party: "Hards" vs. "Softs," "Hunkers" vs. "Barnburners." As the slavery crisis heated, New York Democrats who inclined toward the Free Soil policies of Martin Van Buren came to be known as Barnburners, because they allegedly would destroy the Party [burn the barn down] in their zeal to defeat slavery. "Regular" Democrats were "Hunkers," for hankering after and hungering for spoils of office.
Hunkers wishing to bury the hatchet with Barnburners "softened" their animus; the Hunkers' "rule or ruin" faction tauntingly referred to their erstwhile allies as "Softs." The "demagogue Hunkers"-- that is, those who opposed the Grand Compromise between Hunkers and Barnburners-- were "Hards" or "Hard Shell." Softs and Hards sought control of the State Party in 1856; the presidential convention in Cincinnati would pick the winner. The author is a "Soft."
FIRST EDITION. LCP 9591. Sabin 86211. Not in Eberstadt, Decker.
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Details
- Bookseller
- David M. Lesser, Fine Antiquarian Books LLC (US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 27021
- Title
- THE SOFTS THE TRUE DEMOCRACY OF THE STATE OF NEW-YORK. MAY 25TH, 1856
- Author
- New York Democratic Party
- Book Condition
- Used
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Place of Publication
- New York
- Date Published
- 1856
- Bookseller catalogs
- AMERICANA;
Terms of Sale
David M. Lesser, Fine Antiquarian Books LLC
All items guaranteed as described, and subject to prior sale. Any item returnable for any reason within ten days after receipt, in same condition as sent, for refund of purchase price. My liability limited to purchase price paid. Wrappers described when present; 'dbd' means disbound. Non-U.S. shipments charged at cost. We observe all customs regulations.
About the Seller
David M. Lesser, Fine Antiquarian Books LLC
Biblio member since 2005
Woodbridge, Connecticut
About David M. Lesser, Fine Antiquarian Books LLC
The Company, formed in 1989, specializes in the cultural, political, and social history of the Americas. Since 1993 David M. Lesser, Fine Antiquarian Books LLC has been a member of the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America and the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers. David M. Lesser is also a member of the American Antiquarian Society. Located in New Haven's suburb of Woodbridge, Connecticut, visitors are welcome by appointment. We issue six printed catalogues annually.
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- First Edition
- In book collecting, the first edition is the earliest published form of a book. A book may have more than one first edition in...
- Good+
- A term used to denote a condition a slight grade better than Good.