Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1885-11-21
"Uncle san.'s

Some of the distinguishing marks Of
burlcsque-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
ventors.
For instance. thero Is the familiar
and extraordinary figure Of our Unclo
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 to 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 assertiveness Of tho saucY young
country in the quaint figure of the old
Yankee. But there was a dignity IN
the tall. angular, self-satisiled 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 the
beneficent uncle, and put it into song
and story. Then they accepted him a.
he was portrayed. thin and elongateds
long-haired, hatchet-faced, and wear
ing raiment the like OF which never
was seen on land or rsea--striped panta-
looms of an economical cut, swallow
tailed coat of most antiquated design,
a high hat that is challenge to all
modern headwear, and vest gaudier
than q tropical bird. This became the
familiar figure which In comic art rcp-
resented our beloved country. The
idea took definite form; it became fix
cd in our fancy; it was a creation des-
tined to live and grow. Uncle Sam
became fact, reality, part OF ourr
selves and our history.
He was first made familiar to his
people in Yankee Notions O comic pa
per that fiourished more thana quarter
of century ago, but has long since
climbed the golden stair. Mast was
the first artist to lift our reverediunk
Gle out of ridicule and contempt, en-
dow him with proper dignity, and
make him a distinctive and honored
character. though he claims no credit
for It He says he remembers 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 be is, q kind, wise, courteous,
quick-witted, sunny-spirited, dignitied,
lovablc old man. keenIy alive to every
thing affecting the interests of his peo-
ple-in short, a gentleman.
1t is interesting TO see how the char
acter of Unclc 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 Nasts allegorical
sketches we have seen him in all the
phases Of his strong. spirited and no
BILE character. lie has wept with CO.
lumbia over the bier of heroes; he has
held fast to the old flag when il was
riddled with shot and shell; he has
turned his gray head aside Ia humilia-
tion when the public trusts Wera be.
trayed and honors abused; he has
monrned over his slain sons as they
lay in the valleys. on the hills, and by
the rivers of tie South. His keen wit
has mercilessly punctured shams, and
his big heart oyerhowed with sympa-
thy when the children Of bis adoption
suffered. Dear. quaint, grand old Un-
clio Sam, may bis kind and rugged
face ever beam upon us in love and
goodwill. When he smiles his people
rejoice; when he weeps or froWns they
are sorrowful or disobedienk Puts
burg Dispatch.
/