Puck — May 28, 1879 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

The caption reads: "HOW THE UNITED STATES ARE 'UNITED' ON DECORATION DAY" This is a satirical commentary on American patriotism and national unity, apparently published around Decoration Day (now Memorial Day). The cartoon depicts figures in formal dress examining or displaying patriotic materials and monuments, with visible text referencing "1868" and what appears to be "Soldiers' Monument" or similar. The satire likely critiques the gap between ceremonial patriotism on Decoration Day and actual political division or social conflict in America. The positioning of figures and scattered materials suggests discord masked by official commemorative displays. Without clearer visibility of all figures, the specific political targets remain unclear, but the thrust appears to be: Americans claim unity during patriotic observances while remaining genuinely divided.