Life, 1887-06-30 · page 5 of 21
Life — June 30, 1887 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Life Magazine Page 361 - June 17, 1887 This satirical page mocks recent graduates entering the job market during what appears to be an economic downturn. The top cartoon warns graduates not to "step on" established professionals, as they face fierce competition from "excited veterans." The central section references the Bloody Shirt—a post-Civil War political tactic where Republicans invoked war memories to gain votes. The satire suggests this divisive strategy should be "washed and laid away forever." A paragraph praises Queen Victoria's jubilee while gently mocking her legendary work ethic ("ten hours' work"). The bottom cartoon depicts Bunker Hill monument with small figures, likely representing political or social upheaval. The overall page blends economic anxiety about job competition with commentary on outdated political rhetoric still dominating 1887 discourse.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
BOUT this time look out for graduates. The mosquitoes are not yet in full vigor, but the . graduate will never be more important and full of promise than at this period of his career. Do not step on him or treat him unkindly. He will be wiser later. It will be a hard experience for him,.but he will soon realize to his sorrow that youth and good raiment are drugs in the market. * * * HE wily Mr. Blaine skips merrily across the deep just to let us see for ourselves what an empty waste this continent is without him, while our Pres- ident is regaled by the uproar of excited veterans, who see a rebel army in every currant bush. The Stars and Stripes have given way to the Bloody Shirt. If the garment were washed and laid away forever, to moulder and decay in peace, it would be an excellent thing for all of us, We must except, of course, the politician, who makes a living by waving it. EBLUNDERS THEY ff ” Os SSB | * * * PLEASE} AN OP POR Whe % n GHEUARGLAE Ned pee iene ack fruwiny waren a with a sovereign’s pride upon all the glorious things bat, OAS PROVE: " ; that have been accomplished without her assistance. - ‘We mean no.disrespect to our royal neighbor, but : j there certainly have been days when the Queen has , ey) Gov? failed to put in her ten hours’ work. BAILS AWAY , LEAY- ING H18 RIVALS yoko THINGS Lave KICKED 0 cc VES ry Ars Tie BN porsseen seh SSONKERATIC TUNE 17 eee, ete Pe WaT DS comicbooks.com