Life, 1883-01-04 · page 12 of 18
Life — January 4, 1883 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Political Satire: "Benjamin" of Massachusetts The cartoon uses a Q&A format to mock a prominent Massachusetts politician (identity unclear from image alone, but context suggests Benjamin Butler, a controversial Civil War general and politician). **The satire works through biblical parallels**: The original Benjamin from Genesis went south, returned with stolen family plate, and "devoured prey" and divided spoil. Life suggests this modern "Benjamin" is a "Benjaminite"—a thief and scoundrel who steals from others yet remains popular because constituents believe he steals *for them*, not *from them*. **Key satirical points**: His reputation as a liar and thief doesn't hurt him politically; people love him anyway because they think he's "better than he looks" or serves their interests. His eye-teeth came through crooked, making him see double—metaphor for his dishonesty and divided loyalty. He's charitable to widows/orphans, making him appear moral despite being "an orphan" himself—perhaps suggesting hypocrisy. The satire attacks both the politician's corruption and voters' willingness to overlook it.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
QUESTIONS IN HISTORY, ANCIENT AND MODERN. B STANDS for Benjamin; Who originally answered to that name ? ‘The favorite son of Jacob the Patriarch. What became of him ? He went South to visit his relation. Did his relation make it pleasant for him? Exceedingly pleasant. After his baggage had been checked for home what was found in it ? Divers family plate. Did he attain to special distinction in after life? There is no record of it. But is the name he bore still famous ? Yes. Why ? Because it is the name of a truly great man. Is he also a truly good man ? Oh, yes ! Why do you think so ? Because he hasa right appreciation of the value of truth, How does he show this? By making a little of it go a great ways. Is he a favorite son too? Yes. He is the favorite son of Massachusetts. And did he ever go South? He did. Did he have an experience like that of his namesake in the matter of family plate ? So it is said. And what happened to him ? It is said that he got his reward. And that was—? Said to be the plate. Does not this seem to indicate that the world is older than it was ? It does. Is hea prudent man? So prudent that it is believed that he does rot let his left eye know what his right eye seeth. And what facilitates this marvellous discretion ? An obliquity of vision. Which is explained—how? It is believed that his eye-teeth came through with such a definite impetus as to draw his organs of sight out of focus. Can he see as much as another man ? Yes; twice as much as most men. And_ does he want everything he sees? *LIFE-: Not everything. He does not want Senator Hoar. “Why not? Because he has no use for him. Does he get what he wants? Frequently. Do you remember what the Patriarch said of the original Benjamin and his tribe ? Yes. ‘In the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil.” Now do you think that the favorite son of Massa- chusetts is a Benjaminite in disguise ? Sd No. Not in disguise? '& What is said of Benjamin in Massachusetts? It is said that he is a liar, a thief and a scoundrel. Does it hurt Benjamin? No, it does not hurt him a bit. with the masses. Do the people love him ? They do. Because he is said to be bad ? No. Some love him because they think he is better than he looks. Of those who believe he isa scoundrel do any love him ? Yes, Why ? Because they believe he is ¢he‘r scoundrel. And are they not afraid he will steal from them ? No! They think he is able to steal from some one else. Are there any who think Ben. has true religion ? ry Yes. Why ? Because he looks out for the Widow. And the fatherless ? Yes. Heis an orphan. It makes him solid EIGHTY-TWO AND EIGHTY-THREE. Farewell, with heavy heart—a Final and fond adieu Unto the grand old party, T cometh in, the New Year, Welcome to °83 ! Farewell to 82! Year Of bended gloom and glee, Of foreign stars and sillies, Of Oscars and cf Lilies, Blaine’s policy and Chili's, Blind pools and A.D.T. Farewell, war horse and hobby, (The latter far more fell !) ‘To Tewfik and to Arabi, To Gould and to Cornell, To Tel-el-Kehir's soldier, To Secretary Folger, ToChalmers—who'll uphold yer Hereafter, rebel yell ? And here is looking at you, Don Cameron, to you; To Beecher’s orthodoxy, ‘ To Mr. French’s proxy, To Superintendent Vaux—say, Why didn’t Lane go too? Farewell to Field, the censor » Of Sabbath toil unblest; Farewell to Herbert Spencer, Evangelist of rest; Unto the Star Route trouble, The civil service bubble, And Me. Jay A. Hubbell, Who office-cats assessed. Young year we henceforth own, That brings Bartholdi’s statue, ‘And Wiggins’s cyclone. May we all “scape the latter (The man's as mad as a hatter!) And Lire such shadows scatter As lic ‘thwart the threshold-stone ! comicbooks.com