Bacteria

Puck, as a professor, shows a slide of the germs infecting the Democratic Party. Shown are William Jennings Bryan labeled “Bryanism,” William Randolph Hearst who is labeled “Yellow Journalism,” a man labeled “Anarchism” and an old man labeled “Populism,” and a firebrand labeled “Platforms” with flames labeled “Chicago” and “Kansas City.” “Free Riot” and “Free Silver” also appear among the germs on the slide. Caption: Puck — Gentlemen, we have here the most dangerous germs in the body politic.

comments and context

Comments and Context

Puck prided itself on being independent, but had generally supported Democrats since its founding in 1876. Around the time of this cartoon, with the 1904 Democratic presidential nominating convention weeks away, the magazine proved its partisan bona fides — at this time a conservative streak of democracy — by offering avuncular advice by a magic-lantern lecture.

A rotund man labeled “Trust Official” inoculates himself into “Personal Immunity” with “Fine Vaccine” which is “Specially Prepared by Senate & House, Washington D.C.” Above his head is a dark cloud of prison-suited bacteria” labeled “Personal Responsibility,” some with manacle-like features. Caption: “None of those microbes will get me while I can buy this vaccine!”

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1909-12-08