The Wasp — 1888 — page 277: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is a satirical cartoon from *The Wasp*, likely from the late 19th century, depicting the Republican Party as an elephant carrying passengers labeled with party affiliations. The elephant wears a decorative saddle marked "REPUBLICAN PARTY." The cartoon appears to critique Republican leadership or direction—the elephant is being guided by figures in the howdah (carriage), including what seem to be party operatives or politicians. The caricatured passengers suggest internal party tensions or the influence of particular factions controlling the party's course. The small demon or devil figure leading the elephant from the front likely represents an unseen or malign force—possibly corruption, corporate interests, or a political rival—driving the party's agenda. Without visible OCR text identifying specific figures, the precise target remains unclear, but the satire questions who truly controls the Republican Party's direction.