Judge, 1895-11-09 · page 1 of 16
Judge — November 9, 1895 — page 1: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "Spiking the Gun While the Sentinel Sleeps" This November 1895 cartoon satirizes American foreign policy restraint. A figure atop a large cannon—likely representing a European power or imperialist force—waves papers while appearing to disable the weapon, suggesting they're neutralizing American military capability or influence. The sleeping sentinel below represents the United States as inattentive to international threats. The caption and accompanying quote (attributed to President Monroe's message from December 2, 1823) reference the Monroe Doctrine, which warned European powers against colonizing the Americas. The cartoon suggests America risks losing credibility or strength by not enforcing this doctrine, allowing European powers to act with impunity while American vigilance lapses. It's commentary on perceived American passivity during the imperial expansion era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
VOL.29 NO. 734 Oy THE Jee PumLismine Co SPIKING THE GUN WHILE THE SENTINEL SLEEPS. Tre Reosrenee as A Taace Mae “We owe it to the amicable relations existing between the United States and European, powers, to declare that we should cossider any attempt on their part to.extend their system to any portion of this hemisphere'as dangerous to our peace and safety. We could not view any in- terposition for the purpose of oppressing American governments, or controlling, in any other manner, their destiny, by any European power, in any other light than . as the manifestation of an unfriendly dis- position towards the United States.”— President Monroe's Message, December 2, 1823.