Life, 1916-05-04 · page 32 of 52
Life — May 4, 1916 — page 32: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The main cartoon mocks American patriotism being "auctioned off." An auctioneer stands on a platform hawking the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and American flags—labeled "Uncle Sam's entire collection"—to the "highest bidder." Three bidders in German military helmets (spiked Prussian style) observe. The satire suggests America is selling its democratic values to foreign (likely German) interests, presumably through military unpreparedness or diplomatic weakness. The accompanying text articles reinforce this theme: Senator Sutherland complains about America's "spineless policy of retreat" regarding Mexico, while the magazine sarcastically suggests distraction through entertainment rather than addressing national security. The cartoons collectively critique American complacency about threats to national sovereignty and democratic principles during what appears to be the WWI era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Declaration independence as ar 176 SAM'S ENTIRE CoLLZeTiON Gomme To Tum nIGHasT BiDDaR AUCTION SALE HOW GOING on Congress: Antidotes I, for one, am becoming sick and tired of the spineless policy of retreat and scuttle—a policy that, among other things, has ordered our people to abandon their rights in Mexico. + « The danger of it all is that by this policy of always backing down instead of backing up, we shall encourage an increased encroach- ment upon our rights until we shall finally be driven into a crisis from which nothing but war can extri- cate us.—Senator George Sutherland of Utah, HAT is a natural human outburst for the Senator to have, and we don't blame him for it. We feel that way ourselves sometimes. But, Senator, have patience. Don’t let your mind dwell upon it too much. There are good moving pictures in NOW, BOYS, WHAT AM I BID FOR THIS BUNCH OF JUNK? Washington. The baseball season is opening. Golf is coming on. There are lots of things a man can do when he feels that way. If he is from Utah he can get married again. He can punch a bag. He can rob a bank or invest in War Brides. He can read brother Ford's effusions on un- preparedness. Satiety “THERE is no such word,” said the philosopher, “as ‘don’t,’ in the logic of things. For to say ‘Don’t do this!’ means that we must do some- thing else. ‘Don’t’ cannot evade doing —it merely diverts it to another form of deed. ‘Don’t’ shapes human action, day after day, just as surely as—” “Oh, don’t talk so much!” cried the philosopher’s wife, despairingly. The Complete Adviser 'O those about to marry—Don't! To those contemplating divorce— Don't! To those who wish to die—Don't! To Don't! To those who are prepared—Don't! To those who drink—Don' To total abstainers—Don't! To those not yet born—Don't! those who are unprepared— Frightful Prospect ISS FADDE: I'm sure you'll sign this petition we're getting up to end the war. Reccte: Bah Jove, I'll go you! They say that if it lasts much longer we'll have fifty-cent gasoline.