Judge — March 16, 1889 — page 17: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This 1889 Judge cartoon satirizes attacks on Postmaster General John Wanamaker by the Democratic press. The central figure (likely Wanamaker, identifiable as "John the Postman") stands dignified while hostile figures—representing Democratic newspapers and editors—hurl mud and insults at him. The sign references "vituperative" (abusive) editorial principles of the Democratic press. The "gauntlet of mud" is a metaphor for relentless character attacks through journalism. Judge, a Republican publication, defends the Republican Postmaster General against what it portrays as unfair Democratic media assault. The cartoon criticizes partisan press tactics rather than addressing specific policy disputes, presenting Wanamaker as a dignified figure enduring baseless attacks from bitter political opponents.