doughface

[ doh-feys ]

noun

, U.S. History.

1. a Northerner who sympathized with the South during the controversies over new territories and slavery before the Civil War.
2. a congressman from a northern state not opposed to slavery in the South.

Word History and Origins

Origin of doughface¹

An Americanism dating back to 1785–95; dough + face

Example Sentences

A Doughface press may cry, Compromise; and try to restore the status quo ante bellum, but all in vain.

From Project Gutenberg

The country at large has had to pay dearly for that old doughface love for the South; it is paying every day in lives and money.

From Project Gutenberg

Doughface democracy among us has squalled as if receiving deadly wounds at every proposal to crush or injure the foe.

From Project Gutenberg

While the South is entitled to the palm of victory for shot-gun Democracy, the North is a fair competitor for doughface flunkyism.

From Project Gutenberg

In this sense Lincoln, with his life-long record of opposition to the extension of slavery, was a doughface.

From Project Gutenberg