Life, 1912-03-28 · page 20 of 50
Life — March 28, 1912 — page 20: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a satirical piece mocking **Lyman Abbott**, a real prominent 19th-century clergyman, editor, and moral reformer. The joke is absurdist: Abbott interviews *himself*, with both versions speaking in grandiose, self-righteous language about morality, duty, and the country's fate. The satire targets Abbott's characteristic style—his overwrought moral pronouncements and tendency to present himself as society's ethical arbiter. The exaggerated dialogue mocks how reformers like Abbott would invoke apocalyptic consequences ("the stock market would fall," "the Government would cease") to justify their positions. The cartoon caption "Are you with me or against me?" underscores the satirical point: Abbott's self-important binary thinking and inability to tolerate disagreement. The absurdist premise of self-interview suggests Life's skepticism toward Abbott's moral certainty and his influence on publications like the *Ladies' Home Journal*. This targets America's late-19th-century reform movement and prominent moralists who wielded disproportionate cultural influence.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“LIFE: Intimate Interviews YMAN ABBOTT sat looking at Lyman Abbott, while the atmos- phere around, surcharged with moral uplift, rose and fell in waves of calm and ethical enthusiasm. “The time has come"—said Lyman Abbott, as he met unflinchingly the gaze of Lyman Abbott—“the time has come when we must understand each other. There must be no more quibbling. Face to face with ourselves and eternity, we must throw aside the applause of our fellow men; and real- that we were admitting, even for one moment, that there was a misunder- standing between us? What would happen, " he replied, ket would immediately fall. The edi- tor of the New York Sun would jump off the Brooklyn Bridge. The Gov- ernment at Washington would cease. And I even believe that Hamilton Mabie would stop writing literary ad- vice for the Ladies’ Home Journal. Vanes soercomeRy Trace “Are you with me or against me?” izing that destiny controls us, we must come to some sort of an agreement. Are you with me, or are you against me?” Lyman Abbott did not immediately reply, but at last, in solemn cadence, he spoke. “The ultimate destiny of man,” he said, “ requires, above all else, that we should stand by each other. What would happen to this country——” he got up and quietly closed the door and locked it—“if it should be known “And yet it is better that we should understand each other now. It is better that we should face the inevita- ble, rather than to have this thing precipitated suddenly at some moment when the country isn’t prepared.” “Then you believe that we—' “T believe that we should have it out. For years, my dear Lyman, 1 have gone along secretly distrusting you, secretly believing that you are not what you represent yourself to be. T may as well confess it now.” FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP OF OUR ALLEY “Hat And so I have been nour- ishing a traitor in my house. And you, Lyman Abbott, dare to defy me— Lyman Abbott! Tell me that you are honest. Tell me that you are true. Tell me that you do not really mean half you say, but that you are doing it from a sense of duty in order to keep some inferior person from filling the same place.” This direct statement agitated Ly- man Abbott. He got up and grasped himself by the shoulder. The two stood looking at each other for some moments. “Would it be better,” said Lyman Abbott, “to check over some of the things upon which we agree?” “First: We are highly moral.” “We are.” “ Second: mate.” “We do. “Third: We believe in uplifting everybody who can subscribe.” “We do.” “Then, Lyman Abbott, if that is so, and if the subscription list is going up every day—and if Theodore stands by us—as he unquestionably let well enough We believe in the ulti- There was a moment's intense si- lence. Then Lyman Abbott, responding to Lyman Abbott, said quietly: “You are right. From this time forth we will take our chances with eternity and keep quiet about our- comicbooks.com