The Wasp — 1894 — page 119: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical cartoon depicts a bearded military figure in spiked Prussian-style helmet holding a "Free Silver" shield, flanked by armed officers also wearing similar German military regalia. He brandishes both an American flag and a "Republican Campaign Committee" flag. The caption states "The First Gun is Fired by the Republicans" with a chorus of "Excited Democratic Leaders—Hold on there boys, or we'll get—" This appears to criticize the Republican Party's advocacy for "Free Silver" (unlimited silver coinage), depicting them as warmongers or foreign militaristic powers. The German military imagery suggests Republicans are portrayed as aggressive or authoritarian. The Democratic response indicates alarm at Republican tactics. The cartoon satirizes the bitter currency debates of the 1890s era.