Life, 1898-11-10 · page 15 of 20
Life — November 10, 1898 — page 15: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
**Top Cartoon:** A satirical redrawing (reprinted from German magazine Jugend) of the Bastille fortress with added "private rooms." This mocks modern France's political corruption by suggesting the famous revolutionary symbol now serves private interests rather than public good. **"The Monroe Doctrine" Poem:** Celebrates American imperial expansion—referencing Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Philippines ("Yankee progress"). The poem ironically invokes President James Monroe's ghost, suggesting America has perverted his doctrine of hemispheric independence into justification for colonialism. **"The Fine Italian Hand":** Attacks Republican politician R. Thomas C. Platt's backroom dealing. The text explains Platt secretly directs Republican voters to support Democrat Van Wyck to block Theodore Roosevelt's election as Senator—a betrayal called "sticking the knife into Teddy." It exposes party corruption masquerading as principle: Platt wants Republican legislature, not honest democracy. Both items criticize American power (imperial and political) as hypocritical and self-serving.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
We reprint from Jugend the above drawing of the reconstructed Rastille with private rooms to sult the requirements of Modern France. The Monroe Doctrine. WHILE: N the hills of Porto Rico, From an Old Virginia graveyard O On tho tropie Cuban With traditions, stuffed and jammed, shores, Comes the voice of James Monroe in Where tho fist of Yankeo Pained surprise: “ Well, I'll bed—d!" progress W. J. Lampton. ae anal The Fine Italian Hand. time doors; Nel) R. THOMAS C. PLATT, whose patriotism and philanthropy are well known, is also supposed to drones, hold strong views on the sub- Where the fist of Yankee prog- ject of party loyalty, To bea ress recipient of his favors one must Knocks away the props of bea Republican first, last, and all the time, without change or thrones; shadow of turning. On the eve of election comes the rumor “2 From tho Westward to the Eastward, that Mr. Platt has given confidential directions to his hench- From the Eastward to the West, men throughout the State that Republican voters are to vote Far above, the Star of Empire for Democrat Van Wyck wherever they can exchange for Circles in its ceaseless quest ; Democratic votes which shall elect a Republican Senator. This Ovet ai aud each coeetany little game is commonly called ‘sticking the knife into Teddy,” Float tho Stars and Stripes. Unfurled and is intended to defeat Colonel Roosevelt, whom Mr. Platt From the earth to sky—Old Glory does not want, and elect a Republican Legislature, that he wants Stretches half way round the world, very much. And of such is the Republicanism of Platt. O’er tho placid Philip- pinos, a - In tho lazy, low La- al comicbooks.com