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Puck, v. 53, no. 1361

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Light in darkest Russia

Nicholas II, Emperor of Russia, kneels on one knee before a pillow on which rests a scroll of papers labeled “Ukase civil and religious reforms.” Rays of light labeled “Enlightenment” beam down illuminating Nicholas II.

Comments and Context

The ukase, or edict, issued by Czar Nicholas the month before this cartoon ran, granted religious freedom (restrictions lifted in worship in other than Orthodox houses) and other reforms. There were celebrations noted throughout Russia, perhaps the happiest since the last wave of Romanoff reforms, the emancipation of serfs in 1861. History still debates whether the Czar felt revolution nipping at his heels (there would be a major revolt and bloody suppression two years later; and then his overthrow and execution in 1917), or whether reforms were liberal-minded and sincere. Cartoonist Keppler accorded the Czar the benefit of the doubt.

Concerning race suicide

“The Idle Stork” has little to do as the upper class chooses not to have children, whereas “The Strenuous Stork” is being worked to death by a population explosion among the lower class.

Comments and Context

As is the case in the 21st century, the birth rate among American whites and “old stock” declined at the turn of the last century. There is a double-reference to Theodore Roosevelt in Ehrhart’s cartoon. The first is the very theme and the caption. One of the president’s extracurricular campaigns was to preach against low birth rates, small families, willful sterility, what he called “race suicide.” He believed that all families, not only Anglo-Saxons in the United States, should be large; that increasing the family lines and “being fruitful and multiplying” was incumbent on healthy citizens. He sent letters of congratulation to parents of large families when he learned of them. In turn, a number of children during Roosevelt’s presidency were named Theodore.