William Atkinson Gallery

The emblem of the free

The emblem of the free. Number three in a series of illustrated song-sheets published in New York by Samuel Canty. This example includes the words of a song by Canty entitled The Emblem of the Free and alternately The Traitor's Dream. The emblem in the strongly Unionist song is the American flag; the traitor is Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederacy. The illustration, based on the song, shows Davis asleep in a chair at right, about to be crowned by a winged demon, Lucifer, who stands behind him. At Davis's feet is a kneeling woman who presents him with an American flag. In the background the specter of George Washington looks on. Washington points toward Liberty and two female attendants (center), who appear in an aura of light. Liberty has a halo of stars, and holds another American flag. On the far left two Revolutionary War soldiers huddle next to a campfire, your vet'ran sires, Encamp'd at Valley Forge, Exposed to winter's storms. The music sheet bears a dedication to Thomas H. Faron and William Atkinson, Esqrs. Although the print has an 1862 copyright imprint, a handwritten note on the Library's impression indicates copyright deposit on October 11, 1864. The latter date seems credible for the illustration, whose portrayal of the hardships of colonial troops at Valley Forge would probably have struck a sympathetic chord in the war-weary North of 1864. Date c1862, published 1862 or 1864. The emblem of the free. Number three in a series of illustrated song-sheets published in New York by Samuel Canty. This example includes the words of a song by Canty entitled The Emblem of the Free and alternately The Traitor's Dream. The emblem in the strongly Unionist song is the American flag; the traitor is Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederacy. The illustration, based on the song, shows Davis asleep in a chair at right, about to be crowned by a winged demon, Lucifer, who stands behind him. At Davis's feet is a kneeling woman who presents him with an American f

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