Puck — May 22, 1878 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This Puck cartoon satirizes the "good promises" made by both major American political parties—the Republican Party and National Party (likely referring to a splinter faction). The cartoon depicts allegorical female figures representing these parties as seductive women offering attractive promises to win support. The figures hold signs reading "GOOD PROMISES," suggesting the parties are making empty or dishonest pledges to voters. Various labels visible on their garments and accessories reference political concepts like "Enterprise" and specific policies. The satirical point appears to be that both parties manipulate voters with attractive rhetoric that cannot be trusted—they're essentially "selling" themselves through deception. The tone is cynical about electoral politics and campaign promises of the era.