The Wasp — 1894 — page 286: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical cartoon depicts the "Old Democratic Party" as a blindfolded figure shepherding a group of donkeys (the Democratic symbol) labeled with various congressional districts. The caption reads "Boss Popper on his fateful mission to see Cleveland," suggesting a political leader attempting to manage or control party factions. The cartoon critiques internal Democratic Party dysfunction—specifically the difficulty of uniting disparate district interests under unified leadership. The blindfold suggests poor judgment or lack of vision. The multiple donkeys wearing district labels symbolize competing local interests pulling the party in different directions, making coherent national leadership impossible. The setting appears to be a grocery storefront, possibly implying the party leader conducts business in unsavory backrooms rather than through proper democratic processes.