Judge — December 20, 1890 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This Judge magazine cartoon satirizes Republican political strategy, likely from the 1890s based on the Ghost Dance reference. The image depicts Native Americans gathered around a teepee labeled "Democratic Camp," seemingly performing a Ghost Dance—a historical Native American spiritual movement. The caption suggests Republicans are invoking Native American imagery and grievances ("expel the pale-faced Republicans") to gain Democratic support, portraying this as absurd political manipulation. The satire mocks Republicans for cynically appropriating Native American causes or imagery for electoral gain, while the "ghost dance" metaphor implies this strategy is futile or delusional. The cartoon criticizes what it presents as hollow political pandering to marginalized groups during this contentious Gilded Age period.