Life — May 18, 1922 — page 8: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Explanation for Modern Readers This May 1916 *Life* magazine page satirizes congressional pessimism about the 1916 election. The article describes forming a "Don't Worry" Club with Senator New as president and Henry Cabot Lodge as secretary—politicians trying to boost Republican morale. The cartoon depicts these GOP leaders attempting to keep candidates cheerful during what they feared would be a Democratic victory. The accompanying chart shows economic conditions under Republican governance, presented to prove Republican competence. The satire targets both the Republicans' anxiety about losing power and their patronizing attempts to manage candidate confidence through organized "worry" prevention. The author (signed "Sounder") mocks their efforts as simultaneously non-partisan and transparently partisan spin.