The National tribune., 1898-09-29
OLD UNCLE SAT-.

BY ONE OF HIS NEPHEws, ERNEST VINCENT WRIGHT.
There is an old fellow of curious fashion,
Known the world over respected and praised.
Wherever he wanders he's met with ovations-
With flags gayy hosted and hats deity raised
HIS countryied manner, his awkward appearance,
His rumpled white hair and his goatee small,
With his cowhide boots redstrp-ed
Make Old Uncle Sam the prime favore of all
You ask if we'd make any change in his costume
Well, say-would you alter the peacock;s rich pumes?
Would change the grand rainbow square hreeconeed
No. sir! Change bis costume why, man alive, listen,
And And let me tsport You through various scenes
While explain what each "oddity " means
That hat Note its size? See the head that it covers?
The head of a Nation The brain of a world
Not hat, freshly ironed and curled
His uncut white hair looks you say rather scraggy?"
Nay Indicates thought, heavy brainwork and care
And his chin. Note It's Pitch Iron-wed and determined,
Although the goatee shows there's tenderness there.
So smile at his coat? Well tits rather oldfashoned;
But wrapped round frame which, though seemingly old,
Is brlmful OF honor, good-natu and justice,
Worth many times its weight pure gold.
Those holes in his stars sir
The eyes Of the world! always watching with pride
Ills acts OF intelligence, progress, and suceorr
To all OF his subjects throughout the world wide.
His hands What about fheme Oh, "rather expansive ?"
Well, don't bother guessing how far they reach
BE satisfied that on protection piano.
One-haf the whole key board is covered by each.
Those stripes his there tashion
In Instead, they,r. a part of his history's page
The blood Of his sons, bravely given in battle,
To gain for him Peace in his coming old age.
You think queer that he straps down his trousers
A sign that he knows inst what he is about
For when he starts fighting he safeguards those cowidcs
Against loss, while kicking the enemy out
Those big trOuser pockets wonderfully roomy;
And when to their depths that hand long and gaunt,
A smile lights his face rs he says to his nephews:
Boys here's fifty million have if you WANT
That old smoothbore doesn't look dangerous?
Think his old couldn't give it good aim?
Just re him up sir; but keep your open;
You'll find the old fellow a pretty tough game
For two million nephews will aim that gun for him;
Sturdy young fellows. as tough knot,
Who'll keep that old musket Arranging forever,
As long he'll furnish the powder and shot
That bird on his shoulder? No, that's tame pigeon;
That, sir, is eagle; he hro' the sky
And watches the actions of peoples and nations
Though into private affairs does he pry.
But let any scheme to insult him brewing
WHiR-IR! DOwnwar Is he drops to his old
And. presto! porcupne, and bristling
Waits the coast for that scheme to be tried
So now, do you think that you know the old fellow?
Then shake his big hand Note the strength of its
of cruel or infamous neighbors
II once he gets hold of them, there slip!
So here's to his health, and his daughter, Columbiasl
o the forty odd stars his
Here's to the red and white stripes his trousers,
That make up the GRANDESr OLD BANNER AFLOAT!