Demonology

President Roosevelt begins sweating as he attempts to keep a “third term” demon in a box. Uncle Sam watches on and says, “Your match at last.”

comments and context

Comments and Context

This cartoon appeared in the Washington Herald, and despite its local publication, was clipped and pasted alongside cartoons from across the United States (and the world) in scrapbooks compiled by the White House staff. It was a clever and commendable method for President Roosevelt to maintain contact with opinions across America, and perhaps to assist him in forming his opinions.

Vignettes show a “nervous congressman” suspecting everyone he meets to be a spy investigating him. Everyone he sees (a female companion, a “waiter,” “his constituents,” a “friend,” and a woman pushing an infant in a stroller) is carrying handguns and handcuffs, and he refuses the return of a loan for fear that it is “marked money.” A picture of Marcus Alonzo Hanna hangs on the wall of his congressional office. At night a demon that looks like Theodore Roosevelt torments his sleep.

comments and context

Comments and Context

The United States Secret Service, created by detective Allen Pinkerton during the Civil War, initially was formed with the charge to protect the president. Its role expanded to investigate land frauds and track counterfeit money, and other random duties.

A man leans on his elbows on a table with stacks of coins and a roulette wheel. A red demon is on the left and a black demon is on the right.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1914-09-12