Judge — September 5, 1891 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "The Democratic Situation: David, the dog in the Manger" This 1891 *Judge* cartoon uses the biblical allusion to Aesop's fable about a dog preventing others from accessing food it won't eat itself. The large demonic figure with horns represents the Democratic Party, while the small dog represents the Democratic rank-and-file. The satire suggests Democrats are obstructing progress or preventing Republicans from governing effectively—acting spitefully rather than constructively. The "manger" reference invokes the Christmas nativity scene, possibly suggesting Democrats are preventing beneficial policies from being implemented for the nation's benefit. The cartoon reflects Republican frustration with Democratic opposition during a period of divided governance in the early 1890s.