Grover Cleveland and James G. Blaine

This political cartoon was published during the 1884 presidential campaign by Jingo magazine, a short-lived periodical with an aggressively nationalistic, anti-British political agenda. On the left, the free trade policy endorsed by Democratic candidate Grover Cleveland is shown resulting in destitution, starvation, and unemployment. On the right, however, the protectionist policies advocated by Republican candidate James G. Blaine bring industry, plenty, and prosperity. In one scenario, John Bull (symbolizing Great Britain) dictates terms to Uncle Sam, while in the other, the power dynamic is reversed. The voter is offered a stark choice: “Which?”