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

What you’re looking at

This 1888 satirical cartoon references Barbara Fritchie, a Civil War legend (immortalized in Whittier's 1863 poem) who allegedly waved the American flag defiantly at Confederate troops. The cartoon depicts an elderly woman at a "Sun Office" (likely a newspaper) waving what appears to be a Free Trade flag at a crowd below. The satire suggests Democrats are using the Free Trade issue with the same theatrical patriotism that Barbara Fritchie used the American flag—wrapping a controversial political position in nationalist symbolism. The accompanying verse reinforces this: Democrats claim their Free Trade position represents patriotic sacrifice for the country, even as Republicans march with opposing flags below. The cartoon mocks Democratic rhetorical strategy during the 1888 election, when Free Trade was a major party issue.