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Use the political cartoon to answer the question.

A cartoon shows a laughing Boss Tweed sitting in a chair next to a desk labeled "six" in a police station. He is surrounded by smirking men in suits. One of the men is tipping his top hat to Boss Tweed. The angry-looking figure of the Shadow of Justice looms in the background with her scales held beneath her elbow and a partially-drawn sword in her hand. A caption reads, "The arrest of 'Boss Tweed'--another good joke." Another caption reads, "The Shadow of Justice. 'I'll make some of you cry yet.'" A third caption reads, "Sheriff Brennan merely nodded to Mr. Tweed, bade him 'Good-day,' and laying his hand tenderly on his shoulder, said laughingly, 'You're my man!' It seemed like a deliciously cool joke, and judging from the faces, it was. --New York Tribune."

The arrest of "Boss Tweed"—another good joke.

The Shadow of Justice. "I'll make some of you cry yet."

"Sheriff Brennan merely nodded to Mr. Tweed, bade him 'Good-day,' and laying his hand tenderly on his shoulder, said laughingly, 'You're my man!' It seemed like a deliciously cool joke, and judging from the faces, it was. —New York Tribune."

In a paragraph, interpret the message of this Thomas Nast political cartoon, which shows Boss Tweed laughing as he is being arrested while the Shadow of Justice looks on. Be sure to read the captions carefully and consider what each character in the cartoon might represent. In particular, what is suggested by the words of Sheriff Brennan and the Shadow of Justice?

The political cartoon is criticizing the corrupt and unjust nature of the legal system, specifically in relation to the arrest of Boss Tweed. Boss Tweed, a notoriously corrupt politician, is shown laughing as he is being arrested, symbolizing the lack of seriousness and consequences for his actions. The men in suits surrounding him represent the complicity of those in power in allowing corruption to thrive. Sheriff Brennan's words and actions, particularly in jokingly acknowledging Tweed's arrest, highlight the lack of true justice and accountability in the system. The Shadow of Justice looming in the background represents the potential consequences and retribution for those involved in corruption, suggesting that justice will eventually catch up to them. Overall, the cartoon criticizes the impunity enjoyed by corrupt politicians like Boss Tweed and the need for true accountability and justice in the legal system.