Life, 1912-02-29 · page 26 of 40
Life — February 29, 1912 — page 26: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical cartoon depicts Theodore Roosevelt arguing *with himself*, a visual joke about his famously combative personality and prolific output. The two "Theodores" quarrel over who is the liar, with one threatening to fill entire pages of the *Outlook* (a magazine Roosevelt edited) with rebuttals—mocking his tendency toward verbose, aggressive public statements. The satire critiques Roosevelt's argumentative nature and his reliance on writing and speech to dominate public discourse. By literally splitting him in two, the cartoon suggests his contradictions and endless self-justifications. The appearance of editor Lyman Abbott telling both versions "it is now time to go to press" punctures the absurdity: even Roosevelt's internal conflicts must serve publication deadlines. This likely dates to Roosevelt's post-presidency period when he remained a prominent, opinionated public figure.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
OU’RE a liar!” There was a moment of intense irritating silence, following this pre- liminary arfouncement, as Theodore Roosevelt faced Theodore Roosevelt. “Gently, gently,” said Theodore Roosevelt to Theodore Roosevelt. “ Now you didn’t mean that, did you?” “Mean it? Of course I mean it. It isn’t necessary for me to produce any facts to prove that you're a liar; except to say that, in a general way, you're a friend of mine, and I make the statement against you. What more do you want?” Theodore pounded vociferously upon the table. He looked Theodore Roose- velt straight in the eye. “What more do you want?” he ex- claimed. “I have said it! I repeat it! You're a liar!” This was almost too much for Theo- dore Roosevelt. He went over into the corner, looking at the other one wth a quiet smile, and sat down to think it over. Then he waved his arms wildly, rang four bells and called for three stenographers. “I’m going to answer that man,” he said, “if it takes all the pages in the Outlook to do it. He’s called me a liar and I won't stand for it. Sit “LIF E« Intimate Interviews down, ladies, and I'll dictate one of my world-wide editorials.” Just as he had begun, however, the other Theodore Roosevelt came over and grabbed him by the shoulder. “This thing has gone far enough,” he said, “we may just ds well under- stand each other first as last. I have called you a liar, And now you are going to make a fuss about it. In your usual hot-headed way, you thought that by making a lot of talk and writ- ing a lot of stuff that you're going to get even with me. Now I want you to keep your mouth shut! We've had enough of you, anyway; I’m sick and tired of you myself!” At this point both Theodore Roose- velts stood up and glared at each other, It looked like a free fight. “Do you mean to say,” said Theo- dore Roosevelt, “that I’m to do no more talking or writing? Why, I couldn't live without those things!” “You've said enough!” “But I propose to say it all over again.” “Shut up!” “You think you are highly moral.” “You're a liar! You're no longer interesting, even to me.” “You never were interesting to me. Companions in Misery pes JOKE: Haven't I seen you before? Szconp Joke: Yes; I met you one day at the bottom of the first inside page. “Um. in Lire.” We've both had a rapid rise Inoculation NOCULATE for smallpox, Inoculate for tetanus, For fevers, chills and other ills That daily scem to threaten us! Inoculate with owl lymph To stimulate the brai Tnoculate with goat-juice To make us young again! Inoculate for bunions, Inoculate for mumps; Inoculate for bald heads, And cke for nervous slumps; Inoculate for typhoids, Inoculate for spavin— It’s just as good as any way— To waft our souls to Heaven. But some fine day the laity Will move in self-defense To inoculate the doctors With a little Commonsense. C. Hilton-Turvey. We don't speak the same language— you——” What might have happened, no one can ever tell, for at this moment Ly- man Abbott came in, and, placing his hand on the respective Theodore Roosevelts, said quietly : “Gentlemen, it is now time to go to press.” “WHEW! IT DIDN’T SEEM LIKE SUCH A WHOPPER WHEN IT FIRST BIT.” comicbooks.com