Life, 1918-03-28 · page 17 of 40
Life — March 28, 1918 — page 17: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains **three distinct satirical pieces** from an era when America was debating entry into World War I: 1. **"The Pacifist" (poem by Woodbridge Clapp)**: A vicious attack on pacifists, portraying them as treacherous "copperheads" (a Civil War-era term for Northern sympathizers with the South). The poem uses animal imagery—"fangs," "hissing"—to dehumanize anti-war advocates, calling them dishonorable traitors. 2. **"Lawyers Work for the War"**: A tribute noting lawyers' unpaid war service, mentioning John M. Bowers's death from overwork on draft board duties. This validates legal professionals' patriotic contributions. 3. **"Suspected Traveler" (cartoon with starry night image)**: A French sergeant tests an American's nationality by demanding he sing "The Star-Spangled Banner." The American's inability to do so ironically proves his authenticity—implying only a "fake" American would know the words. This satirizes wartime loyalty tests and national identity anxieties. The page reflects pro-war, interventionist sentiment and hostility toward pacifism.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
The Pacifist St ar and classicist Scorn to define him Glossaries practical cem to disdain him Word books didactical Fail to explain him. But with sincerity Here I portray him, And in all verity Measure and weigh him See you his grimin Miner and sapper. w° yout his sliminess— ‘ou the pacifist. ense him; divine him Traitorous trapper. Mark you the fangs on him. Hark to his hissing. Shame—how it hangs on him Honor is missing. See you the pacifist Shown in his proper stead, Head of a class I list “ Poisonous copperhead. Woodbridge Clapp. Lawyers Work for the War HE lawyers do not adver- tise much, but they are do- ing a lot of war work, especial- ly for the draft boards. The recent death of Mr. John M. Bowers, a consequence of overwork of that sort, is a timely though deplorable re- minder that the work is being done and that the lawyers are doing it. Lawyer work for the govern- ment is not profitable, except to the spirit. Abundant testi- mony to that effect taine be ob- from the families of the war-working lawyers. GUSPECTED TRAVELER: 1 tell you 1 am an Amer- ican Frencut Srrceant: Sing the words of “The Star-Spangled a= Banner.” “T can't.” “Pass, monsicur, You are an American.” UNCLE SAM'S SERVICE FLAG 513 comicbooks.com