This cartoon was published in 1864 by Frank Bellew, a notherner, in the New York Illustrated News. The message of this cartoon is that Lincoln's postiion, or in this case, "shoes," will be extremely big and difficult to fill because of all that he has accomplished and taken care of in his first term as president during the current Civil War and with the Emancipation Proclamation. Lincoln is portrayed as basically, larger than life and much "bigger" or more mature than his peers, especially those who consider themselves Anti-Lincoln. He is drawn flatteringly and proportionately as opposed to the other people displayed that have heads or "egos" that are strongly disproportionate with their tiny bodies. Lincoln is resting peacefully in his bed, portraying him as a person who doesn't fret constantly over his occupation because he knows that he's handling it in the correct fashion, hence his nickname "Honest Abe.' The illustrator uses the shoes in order to symbolize the job of the US Presidency during the greatest era of division between Americans throughout history. The cartoon appeals to audience who is in favor of the Lincoln administration and its policies. It appeals mostly to northerners who have a deep resentment for southern democrats. People who are supporters of the "small cast" around Lincoln in this cartoon would most likely have been offended by the accusation that they are not fit or intelligent enough to fulfill this postion at the current time.
This cartoon was published in 1860 by an unknown artist and was displayed in a northern newspaper for the public to view. The message in this cartoon is that Lincoln, through the Emancipation Proclamation has actually taken the issue of slavery onto his own back and carried it through its course with his legislation. He uses the Constitution as a balancing stick in order to keep his thoughts and actions in check. His physical caricature is shown as strong and steady, just as his presidency yields. He has a determined look on his face and his body proportions are correctly to scale, as those are of the man on his back. Lincoln is in a life or death situation, being displayed as the French stunt man who walked across Niagra Falls multiple times. Lincoln shows relentless and perseverance in this cartoon. The author uses a balancing device/stick to as a symbol for the Constitution or the "balancing stick" of the United States government as well as the dire situation to emphasize the importance of the issue involved in the slavery battle, the right to life and to liberty. This cartoon appeals directly to abolitionists and would most definitely offend southerners, especially plantation owners who honestly believe that slavery is a Biblical necessity and drives the agriculturally based economy.