Keith Mack
Can the Law Reach Him? is an anti-Tammany Hall political cartoon by Thomas Nast, published in 1872 in Harper's Weekly. The cartoon features William M. Boss Tweed, a notorious New York City political boss and leader of the Tammany Hall machine, who was known for his corruption and control over local politics. The title of the cartoon, Can the Law Reach Him? suggests that the artist, Nast, is questioning whether Tweed is above the law or whether legal consequences can finally catch up to him.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Can the Law Reach Him?--The Dwarf and the Giant Thief |
| Artist | Thomas Nast |
| Date | 1871 or 1872 |
| Publication | Harper's Weekly |
| Subject | William M. "Boss" Tweed |
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What You'll Learn
Political cartoon symbolism
Political cartoons often use symbolism to convey a message or critique a person, policy, or event. The symbols used can be visual or textual and often rely on contemporary cultural and political references that the audience can understand. One example of a political cartoon that utilizes symbolism is "Can the Law Reach Him?", created by Thomas Nast for Harper's Weekly in 1872. This cartoon features William M. "Boss" Tweed, a powerful and influential political figure in New York City during the mid-19th century.
In the cartoon, Tweed is depicted as a dwarf standing on a table, symbolizing his corruption and the way he profited from his political position. The giant thief, on the other hand, represents the law, suggesting that the law is finally catching up to Tweed's misdeeds. The dwarf and giant thief symbolism is further emphasized by the title of the cartoon, "Can the Law Reach Him?—The Dwarf and the Giant Thief." This symbolism conveys the message that despite Tweed's power and influence, he is not above the law.
Another symbolic element in the cartoon is the use of a noose, which represents the eventual consequences of Tweed's actions. The noose suggests that Tweed's corruption and abuse of power will lead to his downfall, as he will not be able to escape the reach of the law forever. The inclusion of the noose adds a sense of foreboding and emphasizes the seriousness of Tweed's actions.
The symbolism in "Can the Law Reach Him?" effectively communicates the message that no one is above the law, and those in power will be held accountable for their actions. Nast's use of visual symbolism, such as the dwarf, the giant thief, and the noose, creates a powerful critique of Tweed and the Tammany Hall political machine. This cartoon is an example of how political cartoons can use symbolism to engage audiences and convey complex messages in a visually compelling way.
Overall, political cartoon symbolism plays a crucial role in conveying the cartoonist's message and engaging the audience. By using visual metaphors, allegories, and contemporary references, political cartoons can simplify complex issues, critique those in power, and spark discussion and debate among viewers.
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Artist Thomas Nast
Thomas Nast, born on September 27, 1840, in Landau, Bavarian Palatinate (now Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany), was an American cartoonist known for his political cartoons and illustrations in Harper's Weekly. Nast studied art at the National Academy of Design and began working as a draftsman for various newspapers at a young age. His first drawings appeared in Harper's Weekly in 1859, when he illustrated a report exposing police corruption. Nast played a significant role during the 1868 presidential election, and his support for Ulysses S. Grant was acknowledged by both Grant and Mark Twain. Nast became a close friend of President Grant, and his family.
Nast is particularly known for his attack on the political machine of William M. Boss Tweed in New York City in the 1870s. Tweed so feared Nast's campaign that he tried to bribe the artist, which Nast refused. Nast's caricatures of Tweed were instrumental in his identification and arrest. Tweed was convicted of fraud and attempted to flee to Cuba and then Spain, but officials in Vigo identified him using one of Nast's cartoons. Nast's work during this period also included pro-Chinese immigration drawings and his opposition to the Chinese Exclusion Act.
Nast's cartoons were influential in shaping public opinion, and he became known as "America's Most Influential Journalist and Premier Political Cartoonist." His work often reflected his political beliefs, and he was a staunch Republican for many years. However, in 1884, Nast supported the Democratic candidate, Grover Cleveland, due to his platform of civil service reform. Nast's cartoons were credited with helping Cleveland win the election, making him the first Democrat to be elected president since 1856. Nast's tenure at Harper's Weekly ended in 1886, and he faced financial difficulties after losing his savings in a brokerage house failure. Despite these challenges, Nast's legacy as a political cartoonist remains significant.
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William M. Boss Tweed
William Magear "Boss" Tweed was an American politician born on April 3, 1823, and died on April 12, 1878. He was most notable for being the political boss of Tammany Hall, the Democratic Party's political machine that played a major role in the politics of 19th-century New York City and State. Tweed was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1852 and the New York County Board of Supervisors in 1858, the year he became the head of the Tammany Hall political machine. He was also elected to the New York State Senate in 1867.
Tweed's greatest influence came from his appointed positions on various boards and commissions, his control over political patronage in New York City through Tammany, and his ability to ensure voter loyalty by creating and distributing jobs on city-related projects. He worked his way up through the ranks of the Tammany Hall machine during the 1840s and 1850s, and by the time of the Civil War, he was the Grand Sachem as well as the chairman of the New York County Democratic Committee. From these unelected positions, he became a powerful figure in New York City politics.
Tweed has been depicted in history as a corrupt political figure, most famously in Thomas Nast's 1872 political cartoon "Can the Law Reach Him?" published in Harper's Weekly. The cartoon depicts a dwarf labelled "The Law" attempting to reach a giant thief labelled "Boss Tweed and the Ring". The image conveys the idea that Tweed's corruption and influence were so great that they dwarfed the power of the law. This theme of corruption is emphasised by most historians when discussing Tweed, along with the notion that he lined his pockets and those of his allies.
Despite his controversial reputation, some argue that Tweed made positive contributions to New York City. Seymour J. Mandelbaum, for example, suggests that Tweed was a moderniser who prefigured certain elements of the Progressive Era in terms of more efficient city management. Additionally, Tweed has been featured as a significant character in various works of popular culture, including the 2002 film "Gangs of New York" and the 2016 novel "Assassin's Creed Last Descendants".
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Harper's Weekly, 1872
Thomas Nast's political cartoon "Can the Law Reach Him?—The Dwarf and the Giant Thief" was published in Harper's Weekly on January 6, 1872. Nast, who lived in Morristown but regularly travelled to New York for work, was a talented cartoonist whose work often appeared in Harper's Weekly.
Nast's "Can the Law Reach Him?" depicts an average-sized police officer, representing the law, who is able to apprehend a comically tiny criminal. However, the officer appears powerless against William "Boss" Tweed, the "giant thief", who is illustrated as untouchable by the law. Tweed, a politician, often appeared to the public as if he were above the law. The cartoon is anti-Tammany Hall, criticising the corruption, illegal voting, and robbery associated with the organisation.
Nast's work for Harper's Weekly also included a famous portrait of Santa Claus, which helped Nast earn his fame. He is also known for his humour, as seen in a post-Christmas image featuring Uncle Sam and Horace Greeley.
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Anti-Tammany Hall
The political cartoon "Can the Law Reach Him?" was created by Thomas Nast for Harper's Weekly in 1872. It depicts William M. "Boss" Tweed, the notorious leader of Tammany Hall, a powerful political organization in New York from the 1790s until the early 20th century.
Under Tweed, Tammany Hall became synonymous with corruption, as he capitalized on opportunities to expand his influence and control over city governance. Tweed's rise within Tammany Hall began in 1858 when he obtained a position on the County Board of Supervisors, which he used as a springboard to other appointments and to place his allies in various offices. From this position of strength, he was elected Grand Sachem of Tammany, the highest role in the organization, and took functional control of the city government. With his protégés elected to state and city offices, Tweed was able to expand the corruption and kickbacks of his "Ring" into practically every aspect of governance.
Nast, a cartoonist for Harper's Weekly, frequently targeted Tweed and Tammany Hall in his work. The negative publicity from Nast's cartoons made Tweed's backers uncomfortable, leading them to offer Nast $100,000 (equivalent to $2.2 million today) to go on a "sabbatical" in Europe. Nast negotiated the bribe up to five times that amount before ultimately refusing and stating that he would rather see them all behind bars. The pressure from Nast's cartoons, combined with efforts from Harper's Weekly and the New York Times, contributed to Tweed's downfall, leading to his arrest in 1871.
Nast's work, including the "Can the Law Reach Him?" cartoon, represents a significant contribution to the maturation of political cartoons. His depictions of Tweed and Tammany Hall effectively highlighted the corruption and abuse of power within New York's political system during that era.
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Frequently asked questions
"Can the Law Reach Him?".
Thomas Nast.
1872.
