Judge — April 28, 1888 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This *Judge* magazine cartoon depicts a bearded man holding a large club, standing over several smaller figures labeled with state names (visible: "IOWA," "CALIFORNIA," "MASS"). The caption reads: "OWN STATE, BUT WHICH ONE CAN CARRY THE UNION?" The satire appears to address **tensions over which state or political leader could "carry" (support/lead) the Union**—likely referencing a presidential election or political succession debate. The tall figure wielding the club seems to represent a powerful political figure or region, while the smaller figures represent individual states struggling beneath the burden of Union responsibility. The imagery suggests anxieties about political power distribution during a period of American sectional conflict, though without a visible date, the exact historical moment remains unclear. The cartoon satirizes the competitive struggle among states or politicians for national leadership.