The Wasp — July 31, 1880 — page 9: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "Peculiar Customs of North" - Political Cartoon Analysis This satirical engraving depicts a tall military officer in uniform surrounded by smaller figures engaged in degrading or violent acts. The caption "Peculiar Customs of North" suggests this critiques Northern American practices, likely from the Reconstruction or Gilded Age era. The central uniformed figure appears to represent federal authority or military leadership imposing control. The smaller figures around him—engaging in what looks like corruption, violence, or abuse—likely represent Northern political machines, carpetbaggers, or federal officials exploiting their power during Reconstruction. The cartoon's satire criticizes Northern "customs" as hypocritical or morally corrupt despite claims of superiority. Without seeing the full page or publication date, the exact political target remains unclear, but the image protests perceived abuses of federal power in the postwar period.