Judge — December 15, 1888 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This Judge cartoon satirizes the admission of Dakota Territory to statehood. A bearded gentleman (likely representing a government official or politician) formally "introduces" Dakota—depicted as two elaborately dressed women—to "Democratic prejudice," personified as a stern older woman on the right. The caption reads: "Democratic prejudice long enough!—Pray, join your sisters!" The satire suggests that Dakota's admission represents an unwelcome political development for Democrats, who feared Republican-leaning new states. The "introduction" framing treats statehood as a social presentation, mocking Democratic resistance to westward expansion and new states entering the Union during this period.