Judge — February 1, 1908 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This political cartoon satirizes the Democratic National Convention preparing for Denver. The donkey (traditional symbol of the Democratic Party) is depicted as heavily "loaded"—burdened with past electoral defeats marked on tombstones ("Defeat 1896," "Defeat 1900"). The cartoon mocks the party's attempt to nominate William Jennings Bryan for president again, suggesting they're repeating failed strategies. Campaign materials and Bryan's name appear among the donkey's burdens. The figure climbing the convention hall stairs represents Republican confidence, implying the Democrats are handicapped by their history of losses and Bryan's previous unsuccessful candidacies. The title puns on the donkey being literally loaded down with baggage.