A complete issue · 16 pages · 1883
Judge — July 28, 1883
# Analysis of "The Judge" Page, July 28, 1883 This cartoon titled "Damon and Pythias" depicts a political allegory. One figure leaps joyfully holding a sign reading "THE PEOPLE DEMAND AN OLD TICKET," while another figure sits dejected below. The caption attributes the quote to "Damon Hendricks": "Courage! I am here to save thee." The reference to the classical "Damon and Pythias" legend—about friendship and loyalty unto death—suggests this concerns a political campaign or party loyalty issue from 1883. The "old ticket" likely refers to renominating previous candidates, apparently against someone's wishes. Without identifying the specific figures or election, the cartoon appears to satirize political factionalism and the tension between party demands and individual political actors.
# Explanation for Modern Readers This Judge magazine page contains three satirical pieces attacking Democratic politics and social pretension: **"Damon and Pythias"** mocks the Democratic ticket (appears to reference Tilden-Hendricks, circa 1876), sarcastically comparing their "ancient myth" of party loyalty to the classical legend, while suggesting their unity is false political theater masking corrupt reality. **"The Dueling Mania"** criticizes inflammatory newspaper editors (likely Bennett and Dana of major New York papers) for irresponsible rhetoric that could provoke actual violence, while lamenting insufficient laws to prevent dueling. **"Town and Country"** humorously contrasts city comforts with rural discomforts when New Yorkers vacation. **"Political Pleasantries"** uses heavy sarcasm to expose Democratic hypocrisy: claiming to champion "unity, brotherly love and perfect harmony" while systematically excluding Irish-Catholic members from public offices, reserving positions for native American Protestants. The satire targets the party's stated ideals versus actual discriminatory practices.
