Judge — February 13, 1904 — page 3: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "Seizing the Democratic Opportunity" (Judge, February 13, 1904) This political cartoon satirizes Democratic strategy regarding tariff policy. A donkey (representing the Democratic Party) operates a large "business" apparatus labeled "Tariff on" while holding a "Democratic Platform 1904" document. The donkey appears to be manipulating or pumping the machinery, suggesting the Democrats are mechanically exploiting the tariff issue for political gain. The caption states: "The reduction of the McKinley tariff is the real issue in American politics.—*Democratic press*." This mocks Democratic claims that tariff reduction represents their central platform. The cartoon suggests Democrats are cynically "seizing" this issue as an "opportunity"—using it opportunistically rather than from genuine principle. McKinley-era tariff policy was indeed a major partisan divide, with Republicans favoring protectionism and Democrats opposing it.