His neighborly suggestion
Subject(s): Central America, Construction projects, Panama, Panama--Panama Canal, Revolutionaries, Uncle Sam (Symbolic character)
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Uncle Sam, taking a break from digging, leans on a shovel while speaking to a diminutive man wearing two handguns and a knife, and a sombrero labeled “Central America.” In the background is a sign that states “Panama Canal Route.” Caption: Uncle Sam — Now, young man, while I’m digging here, I’d like a long period of depression in the Revolution Business.
Comments and Context
This cartoon was drawn immediately upon the signing of the Hay–Herrán Treaty that ceded rights to United States to build a canal through Colombia. (The signatories were John Hay, United States Secretary of State; and Tomás Herrán, Colombian chargé d’affaires.) The treaty was signed on March 14, 1903, and this issue of Puck is dated March 25.
Uncle Sam anticipates the commencement of digging and construction. Given the long history of local revolutions and regional attempts at secession, during which Central American nations sometimes requested United States assistance to suppress, the Uncle Sam, in the cartoon, logically warns “Central America” to behave.
Two things happened over the course of the next months: Colombia balked at the treaty and did not ratify, which President Roosevelt regarded as an attempt at blackmail; and one of those regions, Panama, attempted once again to secede from Colombia. This time the United States did not intervene on the side of Colombia. When Panama declared independence, the United States granted diplomatic recognition.
Collection
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Creation Date
1903-03-25
Creator(s)
Pughe, J. S. (John S.), 1870-1909
Period
U.S. President – 1st Term (September 1901-February 1905)
Repository
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division
Page Count
1
Record Type
Image
Resource Type
Rights
These images are presented through a cooperative effort between the Library of Congress and Dickinson State University. No known restrictions on publication.
Citation
Cite this Record
Chicago:
His neighborly suggestion. [March 25, 1903]. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o277247. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Pughe, J. S. (John S.), 1870-1909. His neighborly suggestion. [25 Mar. 1903]. Image.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. March 24, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o277247.
APA:
Pughe, J. S. (John S.), 1870-1909., [1903, March 25]. His neighborly suggestion.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o277247.
Cite this Collection
Chicago:
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-prints-and-photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. March 24, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-prints-and-photographs.
APA:
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-prints-and-photographs.
