Life, 1902-02-20 · page 3 of 20
Life — February 20, 1902 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "Washington's Birthday, 1902" Satire This Life magazine page satirizes the proposed 1902 Washington's Birthday parade in the nation's capital. The cartoon depicts a grotesque parade of figures representing various embarrassments to American civic life. The numbered annotations list the parade participants: members of Congress "in sackcloth and ashes"; Philippine war captives; Spanish-American War veterans; corrupt New York businessmen; John Doe on a float; historian Maclay as Ajax; a "Grand Conclave" of yellow journalists; Senator Tillman escorting Booker T. Washington; various fraudulent organizations; and "practical politicians." The satire mocks American hypocrisy—suggesting the nation should parade its actual disgraces rather than honor Washington's legacy. The pairing of Tillman with Washington (a Black educator) particularly highlights racial tensions and political corruption of the era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Washington’s Birthday, 1902. I. IFE suggests that the day be 4+ commemorated by a grand civic and military parade in the national capital, made up as follows : I.—The members of both Houses of Congress in sackcloth and ashes, and walking barefoot. Il.—Captives from the Philippines, gagged and mana- cled — symbolizing American pacification and benevolent assim- ilation of the Orient. Til.—Sons of the Spanish War Veterans with a cart-load of medals, 1V.—Members of the Boards of Boodlemen of New York, Phil- adelphia and Chi- cago, guarded by secrot service men. V.—John Doe on a float. VI.— Historian Maclay posed as Ajax. VII. — Grand Conclave or Com- mandery of the Infernal Order of Yellow Journal- ists, ‘*the Devil’s Own,” VIII. — Senator Tillman escorting Booker T. Wash- ington. A NEW PHASE, “ REWARE, SIR, HOW YOU ORDER ME NOT TO SEE YOUR DAUGHTER AGAIN. 1 BELONG TO THN LOVERS’ UNION AND ONE WORD YROM ME WILL BOYCOTT ER.” IX.—Hot Air Chapter of the Amalgamated Order of riages with appropriate banners. Richard Croker will deliver an oration Get Rich Quick Promoters in black XJ.—One hundred thousand histor- in his well-known personal style on Marias—typifying Prosperity. ical novelists on foot. civic purity as a factor in our na- X.— Practical Politicians in car- At the conclusion of the parade Hon. _ tional life. Tnean, comicbooks.com