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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
The Loud Little Handful - As Usual...
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

The Loud Little Handful - As Usual...

Artifact ID1979.190.2 (A)
Object Type Printing Plate Mold
Date ca.1940
Medium Paper mache
DimensionsOverall H 6 3/4 in x W 5 3/4 in (17.1 cm x 14.6 cm )
Physical Description
Physical DescriptionPaper cast of an editorial cartoon printing plate for the Lake Geneva Herald, Wisconsin, ca.1940-41. Uncle Sam stands in front of 8 image and text panels, and footprints trail in between. Frame 1: A group of people yell. Text: “‘The loud little handful-as usual-will shout for war.”. Frame 2: A man stands at a desk with his hand over a book. Text: “The pulpit will warily and cautiously object at first;”. Frame 3: A man rests his face in his hand and reads a book. Text: “The great big, dull bulk of the nation will rub its sleepy eyes and try to make out why there should be a war…”. Frame 4: A group of people yell. Text: “Then the handful will shout louder”. Frame 5: A larger group of people yell. Text: “And now the whole nation pulpit and all will take up the war cry and shout itself hoarse.”. Frame 6: A man stands above the crowd. Text: “And mob any honest man who ventures to open his mouth;”. Frame 7: A grave (“Freedom of Speech”) stands. Text: “And presently such mouths will cease to open. Next the statesmen will invent cheap lies putting the blame on the nation that is attacked and every man will be glad of those conscience soothing falsities and will diligently study them and refuse to examine any refutation of them”. Frame 8: A man sleeps in his bed next to a sign (“God bless America”) on his wall. Text: “And he will by and by convince himself that the war is just and will thank God for the better sleep he enjoys after this process of grotesque self deception.’ -Mark Twain 1898”. Artist signature at lower center: “Masterson".
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at lower right: “79.190.2 (A)”.
Historical NoteBefore the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, many Americans were isolationist, or opposed to entering World War II, due to the amount of American casualties in World War I. In this cartoon, each panel has a quote by Mark Twain, beginning with first panel upper left, "The Loud Little Handful-As Usual-Will Shout for War…".
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteThis item was donated by Dr. John Roche to the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum in March 1979.
Credit LineGift of John P. Roche
National Archives Catalog CollectionLyndon B. Johnson Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 192413)
National Archives Catalog SeriesGifts to the LBJ Library (National Archives Identifier 189698391)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - Fully
Use Restriction NoteCopyright or other proprietary rights are held by individuals or entities other than the LBJ Presidential Library and Museum. The LBJ Presidential Library and Museum does not warrant that the use of materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions. Pertinent regulations can be found at 36 C.F.R 1254.62.
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Place of Publication
Lake Geneva
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