This 1836 print refernces the Election of 1836 between Democratic Vice President Martin Van Buren, and a slate of Whig candidates including, William Henry Harrison and Daniel Webster. In this print, there are two soup kitchens run by the opposing political parties. On the left, is the Whig soup kitchen. Four men, South Carolina Senator John C. Calhoun, presidential candidate Hugh L. White, vice presidential candidate Francis Granger, and Kentucky Senator Henry Clay, are all mixing ingredients in a large pot, while Massachusetts Senator Daniel Webster dishes out the soup in a cup labeled “Bank Soup.” Several of the men eating from their pot appear to be sick, and they complain that the soup “smells too rank as if it was made of old wigs.” Behind the soup pot is a clothesline of wigs, as well as flags reading “Constitution in Danger,” and “American Party,” and a cask labeled “Spirits of 76.” On the right, is the Democratic soup kitchen. Van Buren alone stirs the “Democratic Party Soup,” while his running mate, Richard M. Johnson watches from a far. The men eating Van Buren’s soup are cheerful, begging for more and enjoying the “soup particularly recommended by old Hickory.” Behind the soup pot are banners reading, “No Monopoly,” “Union and Victory,” and others depicting the Democratic Party as successful. Party newspapers are spread at the base of each soup pot.
The artist of the print is unknown.