During the election of 1828, the second contest between fellow Democratic-Republicans John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson, anti-Jacksonian groups published broadsides attacking Jackson’s moral character. The handbills, which came to be known as “coffin handbills” for their macabre imagery. They called into question the execution of militiaman David Morrow for mutiny in 1815 while he was under Jackson’s command, a death Jackson’s detractors saw as unjust. Despite the charge, Jackson won the presidency.
Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.
If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.