doughface

American  

[doh-feys] / ˈdoʊˌfeɪs /

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.

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Etymology

Origin of doughface

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

Example Sentences

The choice went instead to James Buchanan, a colorless Pennsylvania doughface with a long record of party service dating back to Andrew Jackson’s day.

From Textbooks • Jan. 18, 2018

At the same time, emphasizing Pierce’s status as a doughface threatened to push anti-slavery Democrats into the splinter Free Soil Party, fracturing the party in the North.

From Slate • Sep. 14, 2012

Not so many, probably, are familiar with the doughface, which, at the time this is written, was a new importation.

From Dave Darrin's Fourth Year at Annapolis by Hancock, H. Irving (Harrie Irving)

Under the full light the doughface looked ghostly.

From Dave Darrin's Fourth Year at Annapolis by Hancock, H. Irving (Harrie Irving)

Each honnable doughface gits jest wut he axes, An' the people—their annooal soft sodder an' taxes.

From The Biglow Papers by Hughes, Thomas