Judge — March 17, 1883 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical cartoon depicts St. Patrick's Day celebrations divided by competing loyalties. The main image shows "The Mighty Sons of Strabane America" marching with the American flag, while city officials and mayors observe from the side. The cartoon appears to critique Irish-American identity politics, satirizing how Irish immigrants organized themselves into ethnic societies (like the "Sons of Strabane") while supposedly pledging allegiance to America. The "two flags" reference suggests tension between Irish heritage and American citizenship—a common nativist critique of the era. The left panel shows observers at a "Savings Bank," possibly commenting on economic aspects of immigrant communities. The exaggerated facial features reflect period cartooning conventions, though by modern standards these caricatures appear offensive.