Judge — August 20, 1892 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Political Cartoon Analysis: Judge Magazine, August 20, 1892 This satirical cartoon depicts a confrontation between a large, muscular worker figure and three smaller political figures labeled with "Free Trade," "Tariff," and other trade-policy positions. The placard behind references honest labor and working men being "knocked about" by political forces. The cartoon's title, "There is going to be a 'Knock-Out': The only question is, who will do the knocking?" suggests the 1892 presidential election centered on trade policy debates—likely protectionism versus free trade. The imposing worker represents American labor, portrayed as fed up with being pawns in political disputes. The smaller figures appear to represent competing political factions fighting over trade policy while the actual worker grows increasingly threatening.