The Wasp — 1892 — page 162: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical cartoon from *The Wasp* depicts a confrontation between a well-dressed capitalist (shown with his jacket removed, appearing vulnerable) and representatives of the "People's Party," identifiable by the protest sign reading "PEOPLE'S PARTY DOWN WITH CAPITAL!" The cartoon mocks the Populist movement's anti-capitalist rhetoric. The figure with the beard holding the sign appears to represent a working-class radical or labor activist. The imagery suggests the cartoonist views the People's Party's opposition to capital as physically threatening or violent—a common conservative criticism of populist politics in the 1890s. The caption references "a fight between men," suggesting the cartoon presents this as legitimate conflict between different economic classes, though the artist's perspective appears skeptical of the populists' cause.