Judge, 1903-04-25 · page 1 of 16
Judge — April 25, 1903 — page 1: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This cartoon satirizes Admiral George Dewey following the Spanish-American War. The caricatured figure in naval uniform holds a telescope and a warship, depicted as an exaggerated military hero. The poem references Dewey's famous May 1898 victory at Manila Bay during the Philippines campaign ("Down on Manila Bay"). The satire mocks Dewey's subsequent political ambitions and inflated public reputation. The poem's tone ("And dewey were the regent's eyes / Them orbs of royal blaze") ironically celebrates his celebrity status. The small figure on the left appears to be a political rival or critic. Judge uses this to critique how military victory had transformed Dewey into a potential presidential candidate, suggesting the public's uncritical hero-worship was excessive and problematic for democratic governance.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
+e NO. 1123, APRIL 25 1903 PRICE 10 CENTS T5771, Ka\ \G LIBR, S TOPvRIGAT 1903 8: JUDGE COMPANY OF NEW YORK ‘Ssachettd Wales Litho & Pog Co New. DEWEY! Oh, dewey was the morning And dewey were the regents eyes Upon the first of May, ‘Them orbs of royal blue— And Dewey was the admiral And dew we feel discouraged ? Down on Manila Bay; We dew not think we dew. —The Honorable Eugene F. Ware in Topeka ‘ Capital,” May 3d, 1898.