Judge — August 4, 1888 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Political Cartoon Analysis: "Hands Off!" (Judge, August 4, 1888) This cartoon satirizes the Democratic Party's position on free trade. The image shows three caricatured figures (likely representing Democratic politicians or principles) labeled as "The Coons" in the caption—a derogatory term used in period political cartoons. The satire targets Democratic claims that free trade doesn't harm American workers. The caption reads: "The Democratic Party is badgering to explain that it doesn't mean Free Trade...The Coons:—We nebber did care for chick'n no how. We's Reformahs; we is!" The cartoon mocks Democratic reformers as hypocritical, suggesting their stated positions on trade policy contradict their actual economic policies. The "hands off" title implies the Democrats want government to stop protecting American industry.