Life, 1912-09-26 · page 40 of 48
Life — September 26, 1912 — page 40: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical poem allegorizes recent American political events. A "famous nation" (the United States) with a "splendid past" faces a crisis requiring careful handling. The people vote to reject the governing faction for their mismanagement, installing rivals in power. However, the new administration immediately encounters serious problems: "embarrassing and hard" conditions arise, including opposition from "Democratic rhetoricians," "wild and wicked statisticians," and various troublemakers. Despite their efforts—described in grandiose language—they ultimately raise "national taxation." The satire targets a specific administration's failures and unpopular tax increases. Without the publication date visible, the exact political moment is unclear, but the poem mocks how newly elected officials inherit problems and resort to taxation despite campaign promises or good intentions. The mock-heroic language ("with great determination / And extreme discrimination") undercuts their actual incompetence. The page is primarily a Vogue fashion advertisement; the political poem serves as filler content typical of *Life* magazine's satirical format.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
HATS WITH A NOBLE LINEAGE Knox Hats FALL SHAPES Now Ready A Political Allegory Once there was a famous nation With a long and splendid past: Very splendid its station, And its territory vast; It had won the approbation, The applause and admiration, Of the States who'd had occasion, In a time of tribulation, And of disorganization, Not to mention degradation, And profound humiliation, To observe it standing fast Without any trepidation, Or a sign of vacillation, And faithful to the last. Came a time of dire distraction, Full of terror and despair, When a delicate transaction Called for unexampled care; But the pcople were directed, Both the well and ill-affected, To a wholly unexpected And surprising course of action, Based on motives new and rare (Being governed by a faction As they generally were). In a little time the nation Had a chance of saying whether It and its administration Seemed inclined to pull together: And it spoke its mind with vigor: “Such disgraceful conduct must Everlastingly disfigure Future annals and disgust vermore the candid student: You have been unwise, imprudent, Pusiilanimous, unjust; And neglectful of the glory Appertaining to our name Till this melancholy story Put a period to our fami So this faction, disappointed, Lost the national good graces, And their rivals were anointed, And were set in the high places. SE* Pretty soon arose conditions Most embarrassing and hard And the party politicians Had to be upon their guard. Illegitimate ambitions, Democratic rhetoricians, Men of warlike dispositions, Wild and wicked statisticians, Metaphysical magicians, People apt to sign petitions, Men inclined to make conditions. One of the new models illustrated in Vogue's Forecast of Autumn Fashions Number. Thereare scores of such illustra tions. VOGUE New York You may send me the ten Autumn and Winter numbers of Vogue—regular price $2.50. For these I will pay $2.000n request. It is.acon- dition of this order that Lam to receive also the Forecast of Autumn Fashions Number without charge Nasu: Strect cry State. Persons prone to bare submissions, And a host of wary foes, Compassed round the ruling faction: But a certain line of action They incontinently chose; And with great determination And extreme discrimination Not untouched by exaltation, After proper preparation, And profound examination, Wrought it out with acclamation, And cach other's approbation, Till the national taxation Not unnaturally rose Before you spend a dollar for your Autumn Wardrobe Let us send you Vogue's Forccast of Autumn Fashions Number. With its scores of new models to choose from why should you confine your selection to the limited stock of your local dressmaker? With the best ideas of the great masters at your disposal why should you be content to have your Autumn gowns merely pretty when they can be distinctive? Clip off, sign and mail the coupon now. It will bring you the Forecast of Autumn Fashions Number free. It will bring you also the ten succeeding numbers of Vogue— regular price $2.50—all for $2.00. And you need send no money now. Here are, the ten Actoma Dress Materials Oct. 1 numbersthe coupon Newest shades and designs in Sire ou ere fashionable fabrics. owning allthis Au- tama and Winter Actuma Shopping Oct. 15 and Next Spring A tour through the best shops of two continents, Winter Fashions Nov. 1 Vogue's dress rehearsal of the Winter mode. Dramatic and Vanity Nov. 15 The fine arts that make fair women fairer. Christmas Gifts Dec. 1 Containing Vogue's $5,000 solu- tion of the Christmas shopping problem, Christmas Dee. 15 Midwinter fashionsandfesti 5. Motor Fashions Smartest novelties for owner, car and chauffeur, and Southern Fa Jan. 15 The trend of coming styles as scen in the Southland. Scart Fashions for Limited Means Feb. 1 irst aid to the well-dressed woman of small means Forecast of Spring Fa: Feb. 15 The first authoritative word on the Spring mode. Aneni Autur invige juven. ideal CB!