Life, 1920-09-02 · page 22 of 52
Life — September 2, 1920 — page 22: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
**"Life's Little Campaign Speeches"** satirizes hollow political rhetoric. The mock speech about Prohibition uses absurdly vague language—claiming the candidate stands "foursquare for the plain people" while avoiding any actual position. The satirist mocks how politicians use earnest, patriotic-sounding language ("Old Glory," "Americanism") while remaining deliberately noncommittal on divisive issues like alcohol prohibition (then a major political controversy). **"The Creaking Gate"** is a sentimental romantic poem interrupted by reality—a young lover arriving, cutting short an older man's flowery courtship of the woman. **"Mechanics"** jokes about product complexity: a clerk's absurdly elaborate instructions for refilling a pencil are compared to learning to drive an automobile, suggesting modern conveniences are becoming needlessly complicated. The cartoons and content reflect early 20th-century American life and humor.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
“LIFE: The Poct: uyt . . .. nut! OM, THAT SOMETHING'D STRIKE ME RUYMING WITH HUT! The Creaking Gate MY asizsy Choc! You, so blithe, so fair! Awaken memory. Your taking air I've known, at many an antecedent date, As that of Doris, Sylvia, Rose and Kate— Ah, yes! I like the way you do your hair! y, pout not, Chloe! What a cherry pair Of lips to bless, or else to cause des My mind is wrapped in lavender of My dainty Chloe! Oh, that some god would quickly grant my prayer! Would take my world-worn heart and it repair, And out of ashes roses recreate: I'd gladly be— But, hark! The creaking gate Announces your young lover, waiting there, My dainty Chloe! LIFE'S Little Campaign Speeches Good Any Time, Any Place, for Any Party. Keep One on Hand for Emergencies “I COME before you, gentlemen, to touch upon but a single phase of this great struggle of the parties into which our people choose to divide. That phase, however, is one that touches each and every one of you. It is the question, gentle- men, of Prohibition. (Pause.) “Gentlemen, in addressing such intelligences as yours, I need not employ indirection or any of the artifices of the plat- form. I am not a magician to dazzle you with tricks. | ama plain man; therefore I can be direct with you; I can be plain, So on this subject of Prohibition, this subject of liquors, wines, beers and brandies, which, though banned by the Constitution, by and with the consent of forty-five of our forty-eight sovereign states, are still a vital issue, I can say with all frank. ness that my candidate is not with any group, clique or coterie, but stands foursquare for the plain people! (/ause.) riends (half-voice), if you want to be right on this Pro- hibition question, this drink question, this matter of personal liberty—if you want to express your Americanism and your allegiance to the founders of our nation, you have no choice but to vote for that great man whose picture hangs there, draped in Old Glory!” Mechanics LERK (selling modern lead pencil): Then you unscrew this cap, take out the small unused leads, put new leads in cach slot, press down firmly until they meet grip of inside thread, then put in case, slide down flush with point, screw on top, and the pencil is ready to write. As simple as A BC! Younc Lapy (doubtfully): Is it as hard as learning to drive an automobile ? “1 HATE TO GO HOME LOOKIN’ LIKE THIS, WHAT'LL MA SAY? comicbooks. Sen