The Wasp — 1890 — page 18: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This political cartoon depicts a bearded man in period military dress wielding a sword and cross, confronted by robed figures wearing pointed hoods (characteristic of the Ku Klux Klan). The caption reads "HAVE WE FOUGHT IN VAIN?" The cartoon appears to critique the Klan's resurgence or activities, likely during the early 20th century when The Wasp was published. The central figure—possibly representing a Civil War soldier or Union veteran—confronts the hooded group, questioning whether wartime sacrifices (fighting to preserve the Union and end slavery) were wasted if such racist organizations continued flourishing afterward. The satire suggests that post-Civil War racial violence and organized racism represented a betrayal of soldiers' sacrifice, implying the nation had failed to achieve lasting justice and equality despite the war's outcome.