Politically incorrect review of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" - from the North...

Item # 652511

Currently Unavailable. Contact us if you would like to be placed on a want list or to be notified if a similar item is available.

December 28, 1852

NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Dec. 28, 1852

* A "poisonous" letter from a notable person regrading Harriet Beecher Stowe's "Uncle Tom's Cabin"
* A reference to a Jenny Lind concert

Under the heading, "To The Editors - Uncle Tom's Cabin," is a page 4 has a review (via a letter to the editors) of Harriet Beecher Stowe's "Uncle Tom's Cabin," by H.M. Brackenridge, former member of the House of Representatives, taking nearly 2 1/2 columns. As a notable Pennsylvanian (Northern), it is interesting to read his somewhat belittling response to her work, placing American slavery into historical context among other human travesties. His views are made clear at the onset as he states early on: "Without going into the region of sentiment, but looking no further than sad reality, both England and the United States, and every civilized country in Europe, display their "cabins" under circumstances a hundred times more distressing than the worst of Southern slavery." He later continues: "I am not defending slavery; I am simply stating facts." The given images show the entire text of his letter.
The issue begins with a defense/rationale as to why the editors decided to include the letter despite its "mischievous tendency," and due to being anonymous, would invite additional autonomous responses which would serve to "diffuse its poison."
Other news of the day is found throughout, including the 4 1/2 column, "From the Family Letters of an American Lady in Europe," which mentions her reaction to a [Jenny] Lind concert: "I never was so crushed except at a Lind concert, and that it was by magnificently dressed woman and glittering uniforms was no consolation."

This is the tri-weekly edition of this famous newspaper, which is perhaps the best paper to have regarding issues garnering national attention.

Complete in four pages, large folio size, some scattered, light foxing, generally in very nice condition.

Category: Pre-Civil War