Life, 1899-06-29 · page 6 of 21
Life — June 29, 1899 — page 6: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Life Magazine Page 544 - Analysis This page contains anti-war satire from the post-World War I era. The "Independence Day" poem by Wood Lovette Wilson is a bitter critique of American militarism, using fireworks as a metaphor for warfare's destruction. It argues that patriotic celebration masks the reality of violence and suffering. The accompanying text block argues against a Peace Conference succeeding—because doing so would eliminate future wars, and therefore eliminate military contracts, government positions, and defense industry profits. This reveals the satirist's view that powerful interests profit from perpetual conflict. The cartoons titled "The Lion Tamer" appear to depict political figures (likely post-war leaders) in dangerous situations, likely commentary on unstable international relations. The page advocates for peace while cynically suggesting economic interests prevent it.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
LIFE’S FARM AT BRANCHVILLE, Our Fresh-Air Fund, acknowledged. $650 50 First subscription for 1899 on $00 account of Westchester eighth 200 00 nual subscription. 600 Jas. RK. Steers 500 From Junius and Baby A Well. Wisher 300 “In Memortam”. Independence Rey. OW the morn breaks with a erash, With a roar, a boom, a smash We'ro awakened at a most unscemly hour; Whilo our wrath we scarce control, Patriotic thunders roll, And our milk of human kindness ts turned sour, The Lion Tamer: OLD THUNDER, THE MAN-EATING LION, Whon wo go Into the stroot TAS BROKE INTO YER GARDEN, QUICK, MAN, AND TIE UP YER Crackers burst beneath our fect, poo! And tho smell of burning powder gives “ou, LET HIM EaT THE COWARDLY PUP! WHAT DOI CARE?” offense; Though ‘tis inconso of the day, It is burned in such a way Its effect 1s all our feelings to incense. Patriotism! Must it burn And explode at every turn, Leaving joy and wounds and charred wrecks everywhere? Will there never bo surceaso Of War's echo, #0 that Peaco Can just settlo down and teach us not to swear? Wood Levette Wilson, HE Peace Conference must not be permitted to succeed. That would mean that there would be no more war. Consequently, no more Secretaries of War. No more canned beef. No more commissions for politicians’ sons. No more army contracts. No more Eagan. No more Alger. It must not be.