The Wasp — 1893 — page 398: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This 1893 *Wasp* cartoon satirizes Democratic Party leadership during what appears to be a political crisis. A figure styled as a fox or animal hybrid—labeled "Resignation"—crouches outside Democratic Headquarters holding a resignation letter. Three men peer from a window above, seemingly reluctant to accept it. A bunch of grapes hangs nearby, with text reading "never did like them much anyway." The cartoon mocks Democratic leaders for resisting or refusing resignations during turbulent times. The animal figure represents resignation itself as something they're avoiding. The grapes reference likely alludes to sour grapes—the idea that leaders claim they didn't want what they're losing anyway. The overall message criticizes Democratic Party dysfunction and leadership unwillingness to take responsibility.