A complete issue · 16 pages · 1884
Judge — June 28, 1884
# Analysis of "The Judge" Page (June 28, 1884) This political cartoon depicts "Uncle Sam" (personified America, left) confronting a figure labeled "Curtis" with a barrel organ and a monkey. The caption has Uncle Sam rejecting "whining music" and the "nasty monkey." The cartoon likely references **George William Curtis**, a prominent editor and political reformer of the era, or political controversy surrounding him. The barrel organ and monkey are traditional symbols of street performers—suggesting Curtis is portrayed as producing tiresome, repetitive political rhetoric ("whining music") with questionable support ("nasty monkey"). The background shows the Capitol building and a "Post No Bills" sign, indicating this concerns Washington politics and possibly concerns about unsightly political campaigning or Curtis's reform message being unwanted.
# The Judge Page Analysis This page from **Judge** magazine (a satirical Republican publication) contains political commentary defending **James G. Blaine**, the 1884 Republican presidential nominee, against critics within his own party. **The Key Argument:** The editorial "The Tattoo of History" draws parallels between Blaine and revered figures like Washington and Lincoln—all faced fierce partisan attacks that history ultimately vindicated. The piece argues that Blaine's intense enemies prove his strength and commitment to Republican principles. **The Political Context:** Some Republicans ("Independents") opposed Blaine's nomination, preferring George Edmunds. Judge dismisses this faction as insignificant and urges party unity behind Blaine in the November election. **The Satire's Point:** By comparing Blaine to Lincoln and Washington, the magazine ironically elevates a controversial politician while mocking his detractors as short-sighted. The heavy-handed historical comparison serves Judge's partisan purpose: legitimizing Blaine through association with greatness. The cartoon header (an engraved portrait) and "Specimen Sorehead" section mock critics of Blaine and Harper's Weekly's opposition to him.
