The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1885-09-10
nlonitomof pilot.
THURSDAY, SEPT. 10, 1855.
"Cncle Sam"

Some of the Distinguishing marks of
burlesque-the tags by which the COM
ic artists make their victims known to
the public-have been SO long in use
they can scarcely be traced to their in
yentors.
For instance. there is the familiar
and extraordinary figure of our Uncle
Sam. Every American acknowledges
kinship with him, but very few know
how he came into existence. Even
some Of the artists who have depicted
him. year after year, in his different
modes and attitudes, know nothing OF
his origin. After making some inter-
rogatories in regard 10 him, aud con-
siderable research into his geneaOlogy
learned that an English caricaturist
created him in derision long ago. The
intent was to embody all the ignor-
ance, egotism, crudeness, pretension
and assertiyeness OF the saucy young
country IN the quaint figure of the old
Yankee. But there was a dignity in
the tall, angular, self-satistied old man
which his creators neither meant nor
saw. The people of the new country
saw it, however, and took him to their
hearts. They adopted the idea OF the
beneficent uncle, and put 1t into song
and story. Then they accepted him as
he was portrayed, thin and elongated,
long-haired, hatchet-faced, and wear
ing raiment the like of which never
was seen ON land or sea-striped panta-
looms of an economical cut, a swallow
tailed coat OF most antiquated design,
a high hat that is challenge to all
modern headwear, and a vest gaudier
than a tropical bird. This became the
familiar figure which in comic art rep
resented our beloved country. The
idea took definite form; it became fix
ed in our fancy; it was creation des-
tined to live and grow. Uncle Sam
became fact, reality, part of our
selves and our history.
He was first made familiar to his
people in YanLce Notions, a comic pa
per that fiourished more than a quarter
OF a century ago, but has long since
climbed the golden stair. Mast was
the first artist to lift our revered I'M
Gle out of ridicule and contempt, en-
dow him with proper dignity, and
make him distinctive and honored
character, though he claims no credit
Tor it. He says he remem oers him as
far back as he can remember anything
in the way of pictures. The other ar
lists assert that Mast has made him
what he is, kind, wise, courteous,
quick-Witted, sunny-spirited, dignified.
lovable old man, keenly alive to every
thing affecting the interests of his peo-
ple-in short, a gentleman.
II is interesting to see how the char
acter of Uncle sam has developed
with the character of his people. One
realizes this by comparing some of the
old portraits of him with some of the
more modern. in Mast allerorical
sketches we have seen him in all the
phases OF his strong, spirited and no.
bic character. lie has Wcpt with CO.
lumbia over the bier of heroes; he has
held fast to the Old flag when it was
riddled with shot and shell; he has
turned his gray head aside in humilia-
ton when The public trusts We're be-
trayed and hOnOrs abused; he has
mourned over his slain sons as they
lay in the valleys. on the hills, and by
the rivers of the South. His keen wit
has mercilessIy punctured shams, and
his big heart overflowed with sympa-
thy when the children of his adoption
suffered. Dear, quaint, grand old I'm
Gle Sam, may his kind and rugged
face ever beam upon Us in love and
goodwill. When he smiles his people
rejoice; wnen he weep5 or frowns they
are sorrowful or di,obedient. = itttS-
Jliyq Uj5pdtct.