Life, 1910-06-30 · page 7 of 41
Life — June 30, 1910 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes American patriotism and political corruption. The poem "A Born Patriot" mocks a man born on July 4th who boasts of patriotic credentials but is actually a corrupt politician—he caused financial ruin and loss of life through his misdeeds. The section "In Some Instances" lampoons voting fraud and bribery in Illinois politics, where legislators apparently accepted payment for voting a certain way in Senate elections. The illustration depicts Uncle Sam's theatrical company performing for crowds, suggesting politicians are performative actors rather than genuine servants. The cartoon implies American patriotism is often theatrical posturing masking actual corruption and self-interest—a critique of politicians who wrap themselves in the flag while enriching themselves.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
A Born Patriot E was blind of an eye, had a slit in his nose, And his forehead was horribly scarred; He might have been beautiful once, I suppose, But now he was terribly marred. “O battle-worn veteran, tell me, I pray, What flag have you fought for, and why?" “Oh, pshaw!"* he replied, “it just happened that wa I was born on the Fourth of July. “Each year as my birthday came round (‘tis no joke) I had plenty of money to burn; Oh, many's the building I sent up in smoke, ch playmate I injured in turn “You can judge for yourself that I bore my own share, But the ruin I wrought was widespread; And there's many a cripple my skill could declare— Only most of my victims are dead. In the East or the West, South or North; For you see I was born on the Fourth of July, On the glorious, death-dealing Fourth.” Still the sight of him haunts me! That slit in his nose! He should serve as a warning to boys, For he once was a beautiful lad, I suppose ; But then, what's the Fourth without noise? Geraldine Meyrick. In Some Instances SEE by the papers," says the man with the diffident whiskers, “that it is claimed in Illinois to be no crime to pay a legislator for voting for a United States Senator.” “Well,”” replies the man with the double chin, “ when you size up some of those Senators it seems as if a man was entitled to good pay for voting for them, doesn’t it?" Tue hand that rocks the cradle spoils the child. SOs Carag NATIONAL THEATRE UNCLE SAM'S STAR COMPANY comicbooks.com