The Wasp — 1890 — page 54: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This political cartoon satirizes Mississippi elections during Reconstruction or the post-Reconstruction era. The title's irony is key: the scene depicts anything but peace. On the left, a well-dressed white man (likely a carpetbagger or Republican official) stands outside a building offering refreshments to voters. On the right, armed soldiers occupy a hilltop with a cannon, while a crowd of civilians—including African American voters—gathers below under military supervision. The cartoon mocks the claim that Mississippi elections were "peaceful" by visually demonstrating the military intimidation and coercion actually present. The contrast between the official's genteel demeanor and the military force illustrates how Reconstruction-era elections in the South were controlled through armed presence, not genuine democratic choice.