In the 1860 campaign Lincoln faced three opponents, two of whom represented warring factions of the Democratic Party.
In this pro-Lincoln cartoon, "Honest Abe" is shown about to consume Senator Stephen A. Douglas, at left, and John C. Breckenridge, at right, who was the incumbent vice president in the administration of James Buchanan.
Douglas, from Illinois, was considered a moderate on the slavery issue, and he is labeled "soft shell." He is crying out, "I'm a gone sucker!!"
Breckenridge, from Kentucky, was adamantly pro-slavery. He is labeled "hard shell" and is exclaiming, "Alas! That ever I should live to be swallowed by a rail splitter!"
Lincoln, considered the political outsider in the race, is saying, "These fellows have been planted so long in Washington that they are as fat as butter, I hardly know which to swallow first."
