Toons Gone Feral

My homage to fellow political cartoonist Paul Revere.   Yup, political cartoonist Paul Revere.  Here is his cartoon sending the “Rescinders”  off to “A Warm Place — Hell”

Paul Revere was a hothead, or, as he later said, “was a young man, zealous in the cause of liberty.”  In 1768 the Massachusetts Legislature passed a resolution opposing various taxes.  The Brits demanded that the legislature rescind it.  Seventeen voted to rescind,  kind of like Democrats voting for the FISA act.  Ninety-two voted nay.  Revere sent the 17 off to hell.  At left, one devil says, “Now I’ve got you, a fine haul, by Jove.”  “Push on, Tim,” a flying demon tells Timothy Ruggles.  Dr. John Calaf appears with a calf’s head.  The poem reads

On brave RESCINDERS to yon yawning Cell
SEVENTEEN such miscreants sure will startle Hell
There puny Villains damn’d for petty Sin
On such distinguished SCOUNDRELS gaze and grin
The outdone DEVIL will resign his sway
He never curst his MILLIONS in a day.

And the 92 who  stood their ground? Paul Revere created a silver punch bowl in their honor.  You’ve gotta love a revolution that’s got silver punch bowls.

Here is a detail from the Colonial forerunner of National Geographic: native tits.  Plus ca change, huh?

And speaking of Colonial tits, here is “The Female Combatants, or, Who Shall”

“I’ll force you to Obedience you Rebellious Slut”  “Liberty Liberty for ever Mother while I exist”  Yes, that’s right.  You just saw a 1776 cartoon of Britannia calling America a slut.

Sources:

Paul Revere’s Engravings by Clarence Brigham

Drawn & Quartered: The History of American Political Cartoons  by Stephen Hess and Sandy Northrop.