Puck — September 19, 1877 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This political cartoon satirizes **Charles Dana**, editor of the New York Sun newspaper, depicted as a man perched on a giant donkey labeled with various criticisms ("Fraud," "Crime," etc.). The donkey itself appears to be a "Trojan Horse"—a deceptive device—positioned before the Capitol building with an American flag. The sign reads: "Resolved: We have not been Honest we will keep up the Show!" and Dana declares: "If recruits don't come in faster than this, we'll have to shut up the Show!" The cartoon mocks Dana's newspaper for allegedly using deception and dishonesty while claiming reform. The Trojan Horse metaphor suggests the Sun's editorial stance conceals harmful intent beneath a facade of patriotic legitimacy. The satire targets journalistic credibility and political manipulation of the Reconstruction era.