Life, 1919-04-17 · page 12 of 46
Life — April 17, 1919 — page 12: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes **Woodrow Wilson** (President during WWI and the League of Nations debate). Two figures—**Briggs** and **Griggs**—argue about Wilson's leadership. Briggs defends Wilson as "the greatest man in the world," praising his role keeping America out of war and his peacekeeping initiatives. Griggs counters that Wilson is divisive, has "appointed the biggest group of ignoramuses," and abandoned democratic principles by surrounding himself with loyalists. The debate reflects **real 1919-1920 tensions** over Wilson's League of Nations proposal and his perceived authoritarianism. The cartoon satirizes Americans' conflicting views on Wilson—simultaneously celebrated as a peacemaker and criticized as an autocratic ideologue. The accompanying cartoon of a child represents ordinary citizens caught in elite political disagreements.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
A Disagreement RIGGS: Well, it looks as if we would have a League of Nations. Griccs: Maybe on the face of it— bu’ it will never work. iriccs (slightly satirical) : n't believe in it, then? Griccs: It doesn’t mean anything. You can’t stop war. Briccs (slightly red): don't believe that Woodrow can stop war? Woodrow Wilson! Ha! He couldn't stop any- You Then you Wilson Grices: That's a joke. thing—not even his typewriter. Briccs (turning white): Do mean to tell me that you don't believe that Woodrow Wilson is the greatest man in the world? Do you dare imply that? Griccs: He didn’t keep us out of He is the most pronounced parti- “ve had in years and the clever- He is not now the choice He has appointed the you war. san w est politician, of the majority biggest group of pinheads to run things ever let loose from an asylum for the feeble-minded, and he has abandoned his country for a dream. Briccs (shaking with rage): If 1 didn’t believe in peace I’d punch you in the face. But time will— : Old man, I take it all back. only joking. Testing you out. Woodrow is a corker. Greatest man in the world to-day. This ignoble petty Little Girl: YM just sHowin’ HIM WHAT WE COULD GET FOR A NICKEL IF WE HAD IT. “1 MAD AN FIGHTEEN*PAGE LETTER FROM JACK TO-DAY. HE WRITES THE MOST THRILLING DESCRIPTION “or WHAT? “Or HOW MUCH HE Loves Mr.” opposition to him is awful! I dnly hope he'll be the supreme head. Bri Mean that? Gras Sure. Briccs: Well, of course I believe in him—still, I don’t know that he ought to be the supreme head. You mustn't forget that this is a democracy. We must have two sides. Criticism of the party in power is essential. I've always been doubtful of Baker. Creel— Griccs: Not one word about them. Woodrow Wilson knows his business. BRIG That may be true. But you know what power does to.a man. Then And as for again I sometimes think that Wilson is inclined to be secretive. And I di quite like the way he tried to get his supporters into the Senate. Gric Not a word against him | won't stand for it. Brices (flushing) : anything against him. Gries: I'm not saying ‘0, but you were implying that he isn’t perfeet—that he human being just like the rest of u Brices: By Jove! So he is! Shake! Brices (the truth dawning on hin that, after all, they are fully agreed) Here’s how! Grices: