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The Federal edifice: a famous engraving!
The Federal edifice: a famous engraving!
Item # 703265
January 16, 1788
THE MASSACHUSETTS CENTINEL, Boston, January 16, 1788
* United States Constitution
* State of Massachusetts
* Pillars illustration - cartoon
This is one of the more desired & elusive issues of this title to be had, as it contains one of the cherished "pillar cartoons". The only other newspaper we have discovered that used the pillar cartoons is the Independent Chronicle, also from Boston.
Russell, the publisher, devised a cartoon showing each state as a column for the new "federal edifice", adding a new column as word of each ratification came in. Each pillar is labeled by a state in order of its ratification, showing Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, with the pillar of Massachusetts only partially raised. Massachusetts would ratify the Constitution on February 6.
The text beneath the cartoon notes: "A vessel arrived at Cape
Ann, after a short passage from Georgia, confirms the pleasing intelligence announced in our last, that that State has unanimously ratified the Federal Constitution. Thus is a FIFTH PILLAR added to the glorious fabric. May Massachusetts rear the SIXTH.
As we predicted in our last, so it happened--Monday morning was ushered in with the ringing of bells in this metropolis, on account of the pleasing intelligence received by Saturday night's mail, that the State of Connecticut had added a FOURH PILLAR to that GRAND REPUBLICAN SUPERSTRUCTURE, the FEDERAL CONSTITUTION..." followed by more concerning the Constitution discussions in the various states.
Much of the rest of the issue has discussion concerning the ratification of the Constitution, too much to detail here. The photos show portions. Truly great content.
Four pages, scattered foxing to the back leaf, archivally strengthened at the blank spine, very nice condition.
AI notes: The January 16, 1788 issue of The Massachusetts Centinel, published in Boston by Benjamin Russell, is best known for its influential political engraving commonly called “The Federal Edifice,” more accurately titled “The Federal Pillars.” Appearing during the height of the Constitution’s ratification debates, the woodcut visually promoted the Federalist cause by depicting a classical structure supported by pillars representing the states that had already ratified the U.S. Constitution—Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut—while an additional pillar labeled “MASS.” is shown being raised into position by a divine hand, symbolizing Massachusetts on the verge of ratification. Beneath the image appears the motto “United they stand — divided fall,” underscoring the argument that national unity under the new Constitution was essential for the survival of the republic. The engraving functioned as political persuasion as much as illustration, reflecting Federalist optimism and urging delegates and citizens to support ratification, which Massachusetts ultimately approved less than three weeks later on February 6, 1788.
AI notes: The January 16, 1788 issue of The Massachusetts Centinel, published in Boston by Benjamin Russell, is best known for its influential political engraving commonly called “The Federal Edifice,” more accurately titled “The Federal Pillars.” Appearing during the height of the Constitution’s ratification debates, the woodcut visually promoted the Federalist cause by depicting a classical structure supported by pillars representing the states that had already ratified the U.S. Constitution—Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut—while an additional pillar labeled “MASS.” is shown being raised into position by a divine hand, symbolizing Massachusetts on the verge of ratification. Beneath the image appears the motto “United they stand — divided fall,” underscoring the argument that national unity under the new Constitution was essential for the survival of the republic. The engraving functioned as political persuasion as much as illustration, reflecting Federalist optimism and urging delegates and citizens to support ratification, which Massachusetts ultimately approved less than three weeks later on February 6, 1788.
Category: American
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