“De-light-ed!”

A large donkey sits on its haunches, wearing a Rough Rider hat and spectacles, and smiling like Theodore Roosevelt at the diminutive figures of Alton B. Parker and William Jennings Bryan. Caption: The Democratic Donkey is beginning to look like somebody.

comments and context

Comments and Context

This Puck cover cartoon is typical of the best by Udo J. Keppler — a clever observation that stands the test of time; simplicity that requires few captions; and master caricatures.

The year is 1906. It cannot be denied that many of the positions that were President Roosevelt’s as his career evolved, as did the policies of Republicans in the House of Representatives labelling themselves insurgents, as well as the politicians and editorialists who adopted the term Progressive a few years later. They all championed causes that many of them had decried a few years earlier.

Many views of Populist and Democratic campaigns in the 1890s became palatable to some Republicans a decade later. They were planks in major party platforms in 1912, and subsequently became laws and regulations, sometimes as late as the 1930s.

Some of these policies were only similar, not identical; and surely the tests of time refined the reforms and palliatives. Few of the evolving politicians were hypocritical, rather responding to changing conditions and sensible solutions.

Roosevelt was in the forefront of those who were pragmatic, idealistic, and assertive, a combination of qualities that assured traditionalists and excited reformers. In 1906 he vigorously advocated a sweeping program of legislative and regulatory reforms, and employed executive orders when logjams were jammed too tightly.

Some reactionaries and “Stand Pat” Republicans were left breathless at Roosevelt’s many changes and many spheres. So were many corporate titans and trust moguls. So, frankly, were many Democrats. Although beaten badly in the recent presidential election, Judge Alton B. Parker properly was considered the titular leader of the Democrats (he was not: his momentary prominence in party councils was past after election day in 1904); and the conservative figure is show by Keppler in exaggerated shock. The party’s real leader was William Jennings Bryan (he would run for president a third time two years hence), the former radical Populist, and he is also surprised to behold the symbol of their party bearing the likeness and characteristics of Theodore Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1906-03-21

Creator(s)

Keppler, Udo J., 1872-1956

Period

U.S. President – 2nd Term (March 1905-February 1909)

Repository

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division

Page Count

1

Record Type

Image

Resource Type

Cartoon

Rights

These images are presented through a cooperative effort between the Library of Congress and Dickinson State University. No known restrictions on publication.

Citation