Life — July 1, 1926 — page 10: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "The Newer Treason" Political Cartoon This page satirizes American youth who drank alcohol during Prohibition. The cartoon depicts a clergyman confronting a prisoner, accusing him of smuggling whiskey. The accompanying poem by James Kevin McGuinness criticizes young men like "George" and "Benjamin" who drink champagne in France while claiming patriotism—calling this behavior treasonous compared to historical heroes. The satire targets the hypocrisy of wealthy Americans who violated Prohibition laws abroad while presenting themselves as patriots. The "newer treason" refers to moral corruption through alcohol consumption, presented as betraying the nation's values. This reflects 1920s-era anti-alcohol sentiment and class tensions regarding enforcement of Prohibition laws.