The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-03-16
Hale Old Uncle Sam.

Here is question nearly as old and
almost as familiar as iss subjeos
To the Editor of The Mail aud Es-
press Sir-Kiodly let me know
through your valuable paper Why the
United States is called Uocle San; aod
wherefore his attire. NJ &
It is easy to understand the Interest
rather than the curiosity that
prompts this oquiry into the orieio Of
that figure wbicu. 10 patriotic pose. is
just DOW very much 10 evidence before
the eyes of the the world. IL
is always difficult to trace. with any az
curacy, the beginnings Of mythical 6g-
ures which represent things that are
very real Most nations are typi6ed 10
this way. EoeIsod. FOR example. has
her humorous John Bail. as we'll as her
disoi6ed Britannia and der rampant
lion. just as the United States has it's
droll Uncle Sam, its majestic Columbia
and its winged eagle Bus it would
tax both ingenuity aud credulity to cred
it any one of these figures to a par,ieu-
lar incident. As to Uucle Sam, che
usual explanation is that his figure and
name were evolved drfiog his secopd
fight With John Ball, when much Of
bis property. consigned to toe comuis.
,sary department in New York, was
branded ~. s" aod these ioi,ials
were twisted into reference to "Uaele
Sam" Wilson, the popalar nickname of
the man in charge OF the governments
stores.
However that msy he-and the ex.
planation, seems faociful-:he figure Of
Uocle Sam has gro1n With the lapse Of
the imagination. We all know him
we'll. the tall, lank. kneeneyed. chin
vhiskered, shrewd featured avuncular
relative With forty-6ve loyal aud devos-
ed nephews It is in affection for them
that he wears bebituaEIy even for full
dress. the stars of bis entire family
upon his hat aud waistcoat, aud the
stripes Of his thirteea first nephews
upon bis trousers although be is
more than century old, the
exact date of his birth being
somewhere about the tine when
the score Of "Yaokee Doodle"
was written, the old gentleman is hale
aud hearty and promises to enjoy the
suns and endure the storms of centuries
TO come 10 normal circumstances be
is quaint aud merry, rather festive N
demeanor, with wit that cuts his public
servants when they fail to do his bidding,
and bumor that generously irradiates
all of the big farm be owns and adds to
the gayesy of nations
Just at present, the aspect Of Uocle
Sam is both severe and sorrowful, while
at the same time resolute and con
6dent- A pereou of Latin blood, With
whom be would be 90 good terms if he
could, has been aonoying Uucie Sam
by cruelty to child who lives next
door. The old gentleman has also lost
oae of his ships aud some of the lives
he loves so we'll. That is Why he is
both severe aud sorrowfal. He is just
now about to say to the Latin ehild.beater
that he must cease his cruelty aud let
the boy 60 into business for himself.
aud he has discovered that be has ample
cash aud vigorous muscles to enforce
bis demand. That is ahy be is reso-
lutte and confident.
The attitude Of the old gentleman
whom We have ali learned TO love 80
we'll is just now 80 dignifed and admira-
BILE that isquiry inso his pedigree is
quite natural. Blu. it needs no college
Of bcralds to guarantee bis patent Of
nobilisy.-N. Y. Mail and Express.