This poem is a critique of the Republican Party's stance on slavery and states' rights during the mid-19th century. It portrays the party as hypocritical and morally bankrupt, using imagery and metaphor to convey its message. The speaker argues that the party's rhetoric about freedom and equality is at odds with its actions, which support the institution of slavery.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1846 · Genre: Political Essay, Historical Commentary, Social Critique