Life — June 2, 1898 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "Our Dewey" - Life Magazine, June 2, 1898 This satirical cartoon depicts a military figure labeled "OUR DEWEY" holding a tiny puppet-like figure on a string. The caption identifies this as Commodore George Dewey, the U.S. Navy officer who achieved fame during the Spanish-American War (1898), particularly after his naval victory at Manila Bay in the Philippines in May 1898. The satire suggests that Dewey—depicted as a pompous military man in full dress uniform—is manipulating or controlling a small figure, likely representing political or public opinion. The cartoon mocks how Dewey's sudden military celebrity made him a tool for manipulation by political interests, or conversely, how his fame allowed him to control events. The ornate decorative border adds satirical dignity to the commentary.