Judge — November 14, 1891 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This *Judge* cover from November 14, 1891 presents a political allegory titled "The Lion and the Viper—After Barte," with the caption: "Uncle Sam—'If you sting, I will crush you.'" The image depicts Uncle Sam (identified by his distinctive appearance) as a lion confronting a viper. This appears to reference a foreign threat or diplomatic dispute of 1891. The "after Barte" attribution suggests it's based on Aesop's fable about a lion and viper, where the weaker creature poses danger despite size disparity. The specific historical context remains unclear without additional documentation, but the cartoon warns that while America appears dominant ("the lion"), an adversary ("the viper") risks severe consequences if it provokes conflict. This likely comments on contemporary international tensions.