Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1885-10-05
II HE
Evening Capital.
MONDAY, OCT. 5. 1855.



Some Of tho distinguishing marks OF
burlcsauc-the tags by which the COM
IL artists make their victims known 70
the public-have been SO long IN nse
they can scarcely be traced to Their IN
ventors.
For instance. there is the familiar
and extraordinary figure OF our Uncle
Sam. Every American acknowledges
kinship with him, but very fewsknow
how lie 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-
ropatorics in regard TO him, aud con-
siderable research into his gcueaoiogy
/ learned that an English caricaturist
created him in derision long ago. The
intent was to cmbody all the ignor-
ance. egotism, crudeness, preiension
and assertiYeness of the saucy young
country in the quaint figure Of the old
Yankee. But there was n dignity in
the tall, angular, self-satisfied old man
which his creators neither meant nor
saw. The people Of the new country
saw II. however, and took him to their
hearts. They adopted the idea OF the
beneficcnt uncle, aud put it into song
and story. Then they accepted him as
he was portrayed. thin and elongated,
long-haired, hatchct-faced, and wear
ing raimcnt the like oil which never
was seen on land or sea--striped panta-
looms of an economical cut, swallow
tailed coat of most antiqaatcd design,
high hat that is a challenge TO All
modern headwear, and vest gaudier
than n tropical bird. This became the
familiar figure which in comic art rep
resented our beloved country. The
idea took definite form; it became fix
cd in our fancy; it was q creation dcs-
tined 10 live and grow. Uncle Sam
became a fact a reality, part OF our
selves and our history.
He was first made familiar TO his
people in Yankee Notions, n comic pa
per that fionrished more than quarter
OF d century ago, but has long since
climbed the golden stair. Mast was
the first artist TO lift our revered un-
Gle out Of ridicule and contempt. en-
dow him with proper dignity, and
make him distinctive and honored
character, though he claims no credit
for it. He says he remembers him as
far back rs Inc can remember anything
in the way of pictures. The other ar
fists assert that Mast has made him
what he is, kind, wise. courteous,
quick-witted, sunny-spirited, digniiied.
lovable old man. keenly alive to every
thing affecting the interests of his peo-
ple--in short, u gentleman.
1t il interesting TO see now the char
acter Of Uncle Sam has developed
with the character of his people. One
realizes this bv comparing some Of the
old portraits OF him with some OF the
more modern. In Nast's allegorical
sketches we nave seen him in al the
phases of his strong. spirited aud no
BILE character. lie has wupt with Co
lumbia over ms bier of heroes; he has
held fast 10 the old flag when IL was
riddled with saot and shell; he has
turned his gray head aside in humilia-
tion when tic pubic trusts were be-
trayed and aonors abused; he has
mourncd over his slain sons rs they
lay in the valleys. on the hills, and by
the rivers OF the South. His Keen Wit
has meIcilessh puncturcd shams, and
his biz Heart overlooked with sympa-
thv whom the children OF his adoption
suffered. Dear. quaint, grand old Tn
clio Sam, nay rs KIND aud ragged
face ever bean apon us III love and
goodwill. u aua ne smiles his people
rejolc,s Nsisen ii Wecps OF frowns they
are sorruWlsG ~ s.IsohedIent. - ats
bury DsSfJulc..