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Museum object · Slavery and Freedom Objects

Civil Rights! Miscegenation Allowed by Congress, Despite the Veto of the President

1866

Pennsylvania, United States, North and Central America

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Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

A satirical illustrated card about the Civil Rights Act of 1866, titled "Civil Rights! Miscegenation Allowed by Congress, Despite the Veto of the President". The illustration shows a white bride and a caricatured Black groom appearing before a minister. The groom says "Massa, you must marry us. De law says so." The minister sighs "Marriage is a contract. I must do this or be fined." Text below the illustration reads [The President vetoed the Bill in order to protect the White Man. / Congress passed it over his head to benefit the Negro.] and continues to mention three Pennsylvania state politicians who were running for office as Republicans in the 1866 election: Geary, Forney, and Cameron as being in favor of the bill. The reverse of the card continues the racist textual attack against the Civil Rights Act, beginning with the admonishment [READ THE BILL! READ THE VETO!].

Sources & collection details

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture — original record ↗

Source collection ↗

Catalog metadata · CC0 · Source checked 2026-10-13

Catalog reference: 2020.26.39

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