Life — September 12, 1912 — page 12: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing" - Political Cartoon Analysis This page contains a satirical story about a prisoner brought before the U.S. Supreme Court. The cartoon titled "A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing" depicts a sinister figure in formal dress—likely representing deceptive authority or political hypocrisy. The accompanying narrative mocks a case where a prisoner claims to have been discussing the Panama Canal when arrested. A judge questions whether the prisoner was actually committing treason, while the prisoner protests innocence. The satire suggests that authorities may be falsely accusing people of sedition over mere speech about the Panama Canal—a topical concern in early 20th-century America regarding national security versus free speech. The "wolf in sheep's clothing" metaphor criticizes those who hide dangerous intent behind respectable appearances.