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A complete, restored issue of Judge from 1887-02-19 — all 16 pages of color political cartoons and topical humor, free to page through at comicbooks.com.

On the cover: # Political Cartoon Analysis: "George Washington, No. 2" (Judge, February 19, 1887) This satirical cartoon critiques President Cleveland's handling of Democratic Party demands. The speech bubble identifies "Young George" (Cleveland) as the central figure being addressed by what appears to be a personification of Democratic Party interests or faction leaders. The caption's dialogue suggests Cleveland promised great results but failed to deliver—the speakers mock him for making false promises ("I can't tell a lie, Pa") and threaten consequences ("Then I shall have to thrash the life out of you"). The reference to George Washington and his cherry tree legend (the "can't tell a lie" allusion) invokes American mythology to satirize Cleveland's perceived dishonesty or broken commitments to party demands. The cartoon mocks his political weakness or hypocrisy regarding Democratic Party expectations.

🖼️ Every page has a plain-English note on what you’re looking at — the figures, the references, the point of the satire.

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A complete issue · 16 pages · 1887

Judge — February 19, 1887

1887-02-19 · Free to read

Judge — February 19, 1887 — page 1
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# Political Cartoon Analysis: "George Washington, No. 2" (Judge, February 19, 1887) This satirical cartoon critiques President Cleveland's handling of Democratic Party demands. The speech bubble identifies "Young George" (Cleveland) as the central figure being addressed by what appears to be a personification of Democratic Party interests or faction leaders. The caption's dialogue suggests Cleveland promised great results but failed to deliver—the speakers mock him for making false promises ("I can't tell a lie, Pa") and threaten consequences ("Then I shall have to thrash the life out of you"). The reference to George Washington and his cherry tree legend (the "can't tell a lie" allusion) invokes American mythology to satirize Cleveland's perceived dishonesty or broken commitments to party demands. The cartoon mocks his political weakness or hypocrisy regarding Democratic Party expectations.

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  1. Page 1 # Political Cartoon Analysis: "George Washington, No. 2" (Judge, February 19, 1887) This satirical cartoon critiques President Cleveland's handling of Democrati…
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