Judge — April 30, 1887 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This political cartoon satirizes the Democratic Party by comparing it to Pompeii before Mount Vesuvius's eruption. The figure in the foreground appears to be a Democratic politician or voter, oblivious to the volcano labeled "LABOR VOTE" and "DISCONTENT" erupting in the background—representing growing labor unrest and social discontent. The caption references Henry George's April 1888 speech, warning that an eruption will "destroy you all, and bury you out of sight in 1888." The satire criticizes Democrats for ignoring warning signs of volcanic upheaval in labor politics, suggesting they're complacently dismissing serious threats to their political future, much like Pompeii's residents ignored the volcano until catastrophe struck.