Today there are calls for an investigation into the legality of documents signed by an autopen controlled by an unelected aide to an allegedly impaired president. A look at the New Jersey election of 1853 for governor might give a clue to the outcome of today’s crisis.

The Democratic candidate for governor was Rodman M. Price. The dying Whig Party backed West Creek minister, the father of Ocean County, Joel Haywood.

The powerful Newark Eagle editorialized on Oct. 14, 1853, “New Jersey this day is strongly democratic.