Judge — August 6, 1898 — page 1: what you’re looking at

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# Analysis of Judge Magazine Cover, August 6, 1898 This political cartoon depicts a large butterfly with American flag imagery on its wings being pursued by a figure on the left (appearing to be a caricatured foreign power or rival nation, likely Spain given the 1898 date during the Spanish-American War). The butterfly represents American expansion or territorial gains—the stars and stripes pattern suggests U.S. imperial ambitions. The caption "He Can't Catch It" suggests the satirist is mocking someone's inability to seize or prevent American territorial expansion. The 1898 timeframe indicates this likely references the Spanish-American War's outcome, when the U.S. acquired colonies like the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico. The cartoon appears to celebrate American imperial success while mocking a competitor's failure.