Skip to main content
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Friends, Democrats and Countrymen Lend Me Your Ears!
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

Friends, Democrats and Countrymen Lend Me Your Ears!

Artifact ID1973.1.675
Artist (1906 - 1992)
Date 1957
Medium Ink and grease pencil on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 14 1/8 in x W 11 in (35.9 cm x 27.9 cm )

Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. An elephant holds a paper ("Civil Rights as a major party issue") in his coat pocket while tying a donkey's ears ("Northern Wing”, “Southern Wing") into a knot. Caption: “Friends, Democrats and Countrymen Lend Me Your Ears!”. Artist signature lower right: "L. D. Warren”.
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at lower right: "To Senator Lyndon B. Johnson - with sincere best wishes - L.D. Warren Cincinnati Enquirer 7-19-57".
Historical NoteBecause southern white segregationists formed a significant portion of the Democratic Party until the early 1960s, President Johnson tried not to alienate them earlier in his political career. He weakened the Civil Rights Act of 1957 so that it would pass through the Senate and not break up the Democratic Party. However, Johnson and the Democratic Party would later lose white southern support with the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. President Johnson was known to lift his beagles by their ears.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteThe item was a gift from the general public to President Johnson during his term in office. It was received by President Johnson, until the President donated it to the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum in 1973.
Credit LineGift of Lyndon Baines Johnson
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - Fully
Use Restriction NoteCopyright or other proprietary rights are held by individuals or entities other than the LBJ Presidential Library and Museum. The LBJ Presidential Library and Museum does not warrant that the use of materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions. Pertinent regulations can be found at 36 C.F.R 1254.62.
Not on view
Place of Publication