Judge — November 14, 1896 — page 8: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This Judge magazine cartoon depicts a chaotic allegorical scene showing political and economic forces as demons or devils confronting obstacles. The visible labels include "SECTIONALISM," "FREE TRADE," and "FOUR YEARS OF BUSINESS DEPRESSION," suggesting the cartoon addresses late 19th-century American political divisions and economic hardship. The demons appear trapped or blocked by a stream, referenced in the Scottish verse quotation below. This likely represents protective barriers against destructive political forces—sectionalism (North-South divisions) and trade policy disputes were major 1890s political battlegrounds. The "business depression" reference suggests this dates to the severe economic downturn of 1893-1897. The satire mocks how these political antagonisms flourished during hard economic times, presenting them as malevolent forces the nation must resist crossing back into mainstream policy.