Does someone understand this political cartoon?

[A18]

[PBrunsel]

It shows the collapse of Republican Unity from 1880 to 1884 and the collapse of the Stalwart controll of the party.

In 1880 the Stalwart (the Conservatives) and the Half-Breeds (the moderates) battled it out at the GOp Convention betwenn a third term for Ulysses Grant and Speaker James G. Blaine. This was the first great rift in the GOP Unity of 1860.

Now in 1882 the Democrats won the House, further straining the hold that the Stalwarts had on the party.

Such men as Carl Scruz, Henry Ward Beecher, and Chester Arthur are shown building a new "Refrom GOP". They present it to the "Independent" voter.

The last block, "The Mugwump Revolt", is the final stone that broke the Stalwart Bback.

[MODU]

Looks like a picture of support the for the Reformist wing of the Republican party back in the 1880's.  

- 1879, "Scratchers"
- 1880, "Anti- 3rd termism"
- 1882, "Tidalwave elections"
- 1883 (not dated in picture), "Civil Service Reform Bill"
- 1884, "Republican Revolt"

(Edit:  What PBrunsel said.  Links attached.)

[A18]

How about this?

[Gabu]

How about this?

I would need to be able to read the labels better before saying what it's exactly supposed to be about.  Specifically, I don't know who the two people are or what the chip from the tree is.

[MODU]

I would need to be able to read the labels better before saying what it's exactly supposed to be about.  Specifically, I don't know who the two people are or what the chip from the tree is.

Well, the guy on the right is Roosevelt.  The ax says "Anti-Trust Laws."  Can't read any of the other small print.