Judge, 1920-04-24 · page 11 of 36
Judge — April 24, 1920 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "Meddlers" - Analysis This satirical poem and cartoon criticize American interventionism, particularly Prohibition. The piece lampoons Americans who export their moral reforms abroad, especially to Britain and other nations. **Key targets:** - **American Prohibitionists**: The "Butt-In clan" (a play on "Buttinski") who imposed alcohol bans domestically and now seek to export these policies internationally - **British, Scottish, and French**: Depicted as annoyed by American meddling in their sovereign practices (drinking whisky, brandy, wine) **The satire's point:** By forcing Prohibition at home, Americans have become globally unpopular "meddlers" interfering in other nations' affairs and customs. The cartoon shows elaborately caricatured figures representing these nationalities, all seemingly irritated. **Historical context:** This likely dates to the 1920s Prohibition era, when American temperance activists genuinely did campaign internationally. The author suggests such intervention damages American diplomatic relationships and cultural standing—we're now globally despised for our self-righteous moralizing.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“Au Nations Hare Us Now, Since We Have Workep Our Mepvotinc Game.” Meddlers By Warr Mason Mlustration by E'VE made this country dry as bones, the bars are closed, our drink is rain; the thirsty ones put up their groans, and beg refreshments allin vain. We've made this land a desert dry andeven camels find it bum; we whistle “ Coming Through the Rye,” but there’s no rye through which to come: But we're not satisfied with this; we'll go abroad with our reforms; we're out to spoil old England’s bliss, and kick up many nasty storms. We've sealed up these United States as ght as any Kansas grad; and now we send our windy skates to the Britons fighting mad. And if we have our way, gadzooks, fair Albion will hit the dump; the belted ba: earls and dukes, will draw their bitters from the pump, soothing liquors, pale or pink, will irrigate the Britons’ throats; and how they'll bless us as they drink some flagons from the castle moats! How popular we all will be, when we've worked out the schemes we plan, in every land across the sea, with tactics of the Butt-In clan! We'll go to England as of old, to rubber round and sce the sights; and there our welcome will be cold; we interfered with all their rights. And when we've wiped out England’s sins, and closed up every whisky coop. and barked a lot of friendly shins, we'll go to Scotland with a whoop. For there is made a famous brand of Raven Barton toddy that invites the soul; and we must sce that toddy canned, and put the makers in the hole. And if they ride us on a-rail we'll still march on with victor tread; we'll know we've struck the well-known nail upon its justly famous head. We've always known the Scotch as friends, but kindly thoughts of us will flee; for every trace of friendship ends, when our fierce meddlers cross the sea. We'll take a little trip to France, before our ardor disappears; for there we have a gorgeous chance to set the people by the The Frenchmen love their glass of wine, it helps them y their earthly games; but we will show them men are swine who pour such stuff into their frames. And if they rave around and swear, it won't disturb us for y; Buttinski is the name we bear, and we must go our destined way We once had frierids on every shore, on every island, every cape; alas, they'll be our friends no more—they are not mashed upon our shape We once considered it the best to do our rioting at home; but now we travel east and west to swat some stranger on the dome. We mix in every neighbor’s brawl, we leave our work to hunt for strife; we figure that exceeding gall is all that lends a zest to life. ‘There is a halo o’er our brow, but some of us detest our fame: for all the nations hate us now, since we have worked our meddling game comicbooks.com