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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

The fearful issue to be decided in November next! Shall the Constitution and the Union stand or fall?

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00267.199 Author/Creator: Place Written: s.l. Type: Pamphlet Date: 1856 Pagination: 24 p. : Height: 22 cm, Width: 14 cm Order a Copy

Pamphlet attacking John C. Fremont's presidential candidacy, and in support of James Buchanan. Accuses Fremont and many of his supporters of fostering disunion through abolition and sectionalism. Full title "The fearful issue to be decided in November next! Shall the Constitution and the Union stand or fall? Fremont, the Sectional Candidate of the Advocates of Dissolution! Buchanan, the Candidate of those who Advocate One Country! One Union! One Constitution! And One Destiny!" Pamphlet begins "We propose showing indubitable testimony that John C. Fremont's leading friends are now the open enemies of the Federal Constitution; the enemies of the Union; the enemies of one-half of the States of the Union; the enemies of the laws of Congress; and the enemies to equality of the states." Among those attacked are William Lloyd Garrison, William Seward, Nathaniel P. Banks, Salmon P. Chase, Benjamin F. Wade and many others. Many are assailed as "Black Republicans." Year inferred from content. Some of the pages are marked with colored pencil or crayon.

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