Judge — July 6, 1889 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This political cartoon satirizes poor-quality Fourth of July celebrations or patriotic displays. The visible text references "Fourth of July gas" with "very poor" quality, suggesting the cartoon critiques hollow or inferior patriotism. The scene depicts well-dressed figures (likely politicians or wealthy elites) attempting to inflate a balloon or gaseous display while working-class men and children struggle below, appearing distressed or gasping. The large storage containers in the background labeled "works" suggest manufactured or artificial patriotic sentiment being mass-produced. The satire appears to mock the gap between elite proclamations of patriotism and the actual hardship experienced by ordinary citizens—suggesting that Fourth of July celebrations ring hollow when economic conditions remain poor for the working classes.