New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-08-10
AuERJCAN CARICATrRE.

MI. T1nnlcIf cartoons IN GHhch nave long
been recognized rs masterpieces OF political
caricature. Week after week tho political
situation has been depicted with consummate
art until an entire generation now recognizes It's
obligations to the genius of the man. The
artistic merits Of the cartoons are not more
positive than the caricaturists sense OF justice
and his unerring discerDment of what is true
and what is false. The pictures in Punch have
been enjoyed equally by the Conservatives and
Liberals of to-day and by the Tories and Wings
of an earlier period. The cartoons have never
misreprescnted the essential facts of political
situation; they have generally been not only
truthful, but just; and the satire has been
keenly appreciated and taken in good part by
those against whom it was intended.
The question is often asked, 4" Why is there no
American Punch2 D. 1t cannot be because the
country lacks resources in humor and pictorial
power. American journalism abOunds IN
humor Every newspaper of any prctepsions in
the West has its comic genius with depart
ment of his own. A dozen Americans could be
named who during the last quarter century
have outsripped English humorsts in this field
of literature There Is wit enough; and there
is no lack of pictorial power. American illus
tratcd magazines are the admiration of the
English public. Neither quickncss of wit nor
cunning of pencil is wanting TO enable Amcri-
cans to outrival Punch. Yet comic journalism
has ordinarily been failure here. Vanity Fair
Mrs. GruHdy and a host Of similar ventures
have been abandoned after a laborious struggle
for existence and the influence OF the pictorial
prints has not increased, although there has
been an improvement in artistic quality. WHY
is il that a public with such keen sense OF TN"
ridiculous and enjoyment OF whatever Is ludi-
crous and witty has failed to support or bc much
influenced 10y one after another of the lll-latcd
series Of American Pnches2 The reason Is
that political partisanship has broken the edge
of the satire and converted caIicaturcs into de-
famation. Cartoon makers have too often not
respected the truth; they have made war on
private character, and have been reckless in
their charges, assuming guilt even when in
noccEcc has been proved.
As an illustration of this garing vice Of too
much of our American caricaturc, take the
four pictures reproduced in yesterdays TRIE-
rNE from the old files of Harpcrs lVccLiy On
March Q, 1851, few days after Abraham Lin
coin was inauguratcd, the journal of Civil
zation" held him mp to public scorn and de
rision as a cowardly fugitive and a dcmora.izcd
bastard. 1t was ut time when every loyal
American held his breath and followed the for
tunes of the Republican President with prayer
full solcitude and suppressed excitement. II
was n crisis in the history of the country, and
those foul pictures tended to degrade the heroic
President and to impair public confidence III
his character and virtues. IL was a cruel blow
at every patriotic heart Even after the lapse
of years those cartoons excite Indignation and
horror Mark the coarScncSs of the treatment
which the President received. The artist de
libcratciy sought to render him contemplate III
the sight Of Americans, to represent HIM aN an
abicct coward and panc-stlickcn fool, and to
make him an object of dcrislon. Malignant
spite and passionate hatred inspired those pie
lures Justice and truth were left ont OF the
account. Partisan defamation sharpcncd the
artists wits and pointed his clumsy pencil.
And to this day caricature is too often pros
titutcd to the same low ends. "With charity
for none and malice toward ALL seems to be
the motto of certain cartoon makers.