The Agitation of Slavery: Buchanan and Fillmore Compared

What it is

Printed in Washington in 1856, this pamphlet compares the recorded positions of presidential candidates James Buchanan and Millard Fillmore on the subject of slavery, aiming to help voters, especially in the South, judge each man's reliability on the issue.

Why it matters

The pamphlet illustrates how deeply the question of slavery shaped the 1856 presidential race and how campaigners tried to use each candidate's past record to sway particular regions of the country. It is a primary piece of campaign literature rather than a neutral historical account.

Look closer

• Why does the pamphlet claim to treat both candidates with 'respectful freedom'—what does that phrase suggest about its real purpose?
• Who was this pamphlet written to persuade, and how can you tell?
• What does the comparison of 'records' on slavery tell you about what mattered most to these campaigners?