Judge — November 24, 1917 — page 7: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This cartoon depicts military authority influencing civilian behavior through hierarchical example. The top panel shows military officers (identifiable by uniforms and insignia) interacting with civilians in what appears to be an authoritative setting. The bottom panel contrasts this with a military officer walking alone while civilians—including children—mimic his posture and gait, suggesting they unconsciously adopt his bearing and mannerisms. The satire critiques how military culture permeates civilian society through imitation rather than explicit instruction. The title "The Force of Example" ironically suggests that power operates not through direct command but through passive social modeling. This likely reflects early 20th-century American concerns about militarism's cultural influence during a period of military expansion or war preparation.