Judge, 1888-08-25 · page 1 of 16
Judge — August 25, 1888 — page 1: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This 1888 political cartoon satirizes the protectionist tariff debate. The large figure appears to be **Otto von Bismarck**, the German Chancellor, depicted as lecturing smaller figures—likely representing **Irish-American Democrats** concerned about tariffs affecting Irish trade. The speech bubble quotes Bismarck endorsing protective tariffs as key to America's economic success. The cartoon's satire is directed at **Democratic politicians** who opposed high tariffs: the caption mocks them for finding "consolation" that German gains will offset Irish tariff losses. The joke targets the political hypocrisy of Democrats claiming to help Irish-Americans while opposing the very protectionist policies Bismarck championed—suggesting their position is logically incoherent.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
VOL.14 NO. 358 AUGUST.25 1888. PRICE 10 CENTS. ENTEREO aT THE Post Orrice AT New YORK AS Secono-CiAss MATTER, Copyrionr 1888 By THe JuDoE PuBLisHine Co.. Srzzch sy Pace Bumanck m THE Reatcustao, May 14, 1882. “The success of the United States in material development is the most: illus- trious of modern times. The American Nation has not only successfully borne and suppressed the most gigantic and expensive war of all history, but immedi- ately afterward it disbanded its army, found employment for all its soldiers and marines, paid off most of its debt, gave labor and homes to all the unemployed of Europe as fast as they could arrive within its territory, and still by a system of taxation so indirect as not to be per- ceived, much less felt. Because it is my deliberate judgment that the prosperity of America is due to its system of protec- tive laws, I urge that Germany has now reached that point where it is ne to imitate the tariff syatem of the United BISMARCK AND AMERICAN PROTECTION. : “ Sanguine Democratic Managers are consoling tbemselyes (ae ite selection, thst German gains will be an offset for Irish losses on the comicbooks.com