Judge — August 16, 1884 — page 8: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This 1876 Judge cartoon by Hamilton satirizes Vice President Thomas Hendricks. The image shows a uniformed military or political figure holding a banner reading "Don't Forget The Prod of '76"—referencing the Centennial celebration of American independence that year. The caption "Hendricks to Honest Labor" appears sarcastic, suggesting Hendricks is being "prodded" or reminded about labor issues. The figure lying on the ground likely represents either a political opponent or the working class. The elaborate military dress and theatrical setup mock what the cartoonist sees as Hendricks's pretensions or hypocrisy regarding labor support. The overall message appears critical of Hendricks's political positioning on labor matters during the 1876 election cycle.