Judge — April 27, 1895 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Political Cartoon Analysis: Judge, April 27, 1895 This cartoon depicts Lady Liberty (identifiable by her starred cape and classical dress) precariously balanced atop the U.S. Capitol dome, which rests on an elephant—the Republican Party symbol. She appears to be falling or losing her footing. The caption quotes C.A. Dana from March 30th, 1895: "If the supreme court decides that the income-tax is unconstitutional, the Democratic party will be wiped out—obliterated." The satire mocks Dana's prediction by visually suggesting that instead, *Republican* control of the government (symbolized by the elephant) endangers American liberty itself. The cartoon argues that Republican policies—particularly their anticipated Supreme Court decision against the income tax—threaten democratic principles, not the Democratic Party.