Judge — February 14, 1891 — page 8: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This Judge magazine cartoon satirizes Southern states threatening to boycott what appears to be a major fair—likely the World's Columbian Exposition (1893 Chicago World's Fair). The central figure of "Justice" (depicted as a woman with scales) scolds the Southern states for their boycott threat. The cartoon critiques Southern opposition to the fair, probably related to racial or sectional disputes of the Gilded Age. Various symbolic elements surround Justice—including papers, architectural plans, and what appear to be regional references—illustrating the fair's national importance. The satire argues that boycotting damages not just the fair itself but national progress and unity. The Southern states' threatened withdrawal is portrayed as petty and shameful, subordinating regional interests to national advancement.