Judge — September 13, 1890 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "Fair Play or Retaliation" — Judge, September 13, 1890 This political cartoon depicts three caricatured figures in military/diplomatic dress engaged in a confrontation. The central figure wields a rifle, while the left figure (labeled "BRITAIN") and right figure (labeled "MY POLICY") represent competing positions. The caption quotes "Minister Reid" warning: "If you exclude American Pork, you can keep your adulterated products!" This satirizes an 1890s trade dispute over American pork exports. Britain had banned U.S. pork, citing quality concerns. The cartoon frames this as retaliatory trade policy—American officials threatening to exclude British goods unless pork access was restored. The "Frontier" sign suggests westward American agricultural interests at stake. The satire mocks the confrontational, gun-wielding approach to commercial negotiation.