The Capitol Dome

THE CAPITOL DOME to the long-established newspaper then called the St. Louis Republican. e publication zealously supported Whig principles from 1840 until 1856, and during the canvass for William Henry Harrison its pugnacity had earned it the epithet "the Old Coon" by the admiring Whigs. Shortly aerwards the metallic figure of a crouching raccoon was perched over the publisher's chimney; visible from all parts of the city, it was one of the first sights that greeted visitors arriving at the city's river landing for the next 30 years. 13 One of the more high-brow—if short-lived—publi- cations on Lincoln's account was the monthly The American Review: A Whig Journal of Politics, Literature, Art, and Science published in New York City and initially edited by George H. Colton. 14 Its political essays expounded upon Whig doctrine, sentiment, moralizing, and social commentary. e longest articles detailing philosophical, religious, and historical themes were mixed with literary criticism, book reviews, true and fictitious short stories, poetry, scientific news, and advertisements. A wide variety of leading Whigs contributed to its pages, including Daniel D. Barnard, John Quincy Adams, Daniel Webster, Edward Everett, John C. Calhoun, Horace Greeley, and Henry Jarvis Raymond. 15 Similar in content, cost, and longevity was the Philadelphia-based Graham's Magazine, established by George Rex Graham and known for its engravings and artwork. It specialized in short stories by some of the era's best-known writers, critical reviews, and music and fash- ion intended to appeal to both men and women. 16 Perhaps the most surprising of Lincoln's choices was Godey's Lady's Book, arguably the most widely-circulated magazine of the antebellum era. 17 Largely considered a woman's magazine renowned for its expensively-produced fashion plates, each issue also contained poetry and articles by prominent writ- ers such as Edgar Allan Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., and Washington Irving. Why Lin- coln included this periodical among his choices remains a mystery, unless Mary Lincoln influenced him in favor of this particular selection. If not, then Lincoln can certainly be judged progressive in his range of reading materials. Like other House Members, Lincoln conducted the business of his office unaided by any secretary or assistant, and he diligently practiced the art of the conscientious poli- Fig. 7. As a congressman, Lincoln had to fulfill many constituent services, but his own congressional term was many years in the future when he wrote as a constituent himself to Rep. John T. Stuart in 1840. Fig. 8. By pre-printing its petition seeking preemption rights to federal lands, the Great Western Railway Com- pany made it easier to gather more constituents' signa- tures before forwarding it to Lincoln (detail). 38

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