Can anyone explain the point being made by the
cartoon in Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, issue dated May 29, 1869? What is meant by the caption "Does not SUCH a meeting make amends?" What is the politics, humor, symbolism, etc.? Amends to whom for what?
From: "Wendell Huffman" wendellhuffman@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteMy gut level reaction is the reference is to amending the breech of the recent War Between the States; though a joining of East and West hardly seems the same as a joining of North and South. However, beyond that, I notice one meaning of "amend" in the OED is "to bring into a better state, or improve." Or, maybe it referred to amending the competition between the UP and CP. I'll be interested in seeing what others might come up with.
—Wendell
From: kylewyatt@aol.com
ReplyDeleteI'm not entirely sure of the meaning either. But I note that former soldiers from both the North and the South worked on the railroad (especially the Union Pacific portion) together.
—Kyle