New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-10
on, Jane

, Contrary to the popular impression, james
Buchanan was fond OF joke. At the
age of thirty years he was at the head OF
his profession In Pennsylvania, and his
practice was the most extensive and most
lucrative IN the state. About that time he
defended before the state Senate judge
who was being tried upon articles OF I'M
| peachment, accused OF having accepted
bribss I'm return for certain decisions. "Tt
nv client has taken this money" demanded
Buchanan in bis argument, II should like
10 have you tell me what has become OF t.
Where has he concealed itY'
"IIas the learned counsel investigated his
own bank account recently" asked Sen
ator insinuatingly.
Il am obliged to the gentleman for his
suggestion" returned the lawyer prompt
~. but the methods which have served
him so admirably in his political career DO
not apply to the practice OF the legal pro-
fession. I will admit. however. that Il is
because ! am informed as 10 the precise
| condition Of my bank account that am
! stin asking What has become OF that
money"
! Abraham Lrcoln's sense OF humor was Of
| that rare species which no combination 81
| untowsrd circumstances could put out Of
commission. At that critical moment In h,
nations history. and in that Of his own.
when he was about 20 issue the Emancips-
| ton Proclamation and had called IN his
Cabinet 10 hear il read In its perfected
I form, he prefaced this most serious Of all
state business with a chapter from Artc-
mus Ward Quite as characteristically hu-
rnorous was his treatment OF the Ohio man
/ who was denouncing him and BIS admins
tration with bitter invective and calling on
| the North to put him out or the way The
! trouble with Mr. Vallindigham,' said the
President, when he was urged by the lead
| ing men of his party, and even by many
Of those who were his political opponents,
/ to silence the mischief maker, rs that he
; is geographically out OF place"
His language is reasonable at this
time urged Lincon's advisers and he
should be put In restraint
His language would be all right on the
other side Of the line" returned the Presi-
dent, with a grim smile, "and that is eX-
actly where he is going"
So. despite the advice Of his Cabinet to
do otherwise, President Lincoln bundled the
|
tai, whence he was returned forthwith 10
Washington labelled Not Wanted LIN
coin insisted on being generous. ard the
men at Richmond kept on refusing to se-
cept. Meanwhile the nations looked on and
laughed, as the President intended they
should.
| No ono OF Lincoln's successors may ne
described as "a fellow Of Infinite Jest
Each of them, down to the time OF Colonel
Roosevelt-with the possible exception OF
| BENJAMIN Harrison-had normal relish
for a Joke. provided It was constructed OF
the lines OF his own designing and put TO-
gether after his own recipe, but none OF
: them had the genius for humor that was
/, so conspicuous In the Great Emancipator.
Perhaps our only living former President
. is most original In his appreciation OF
things that are mirth provoking Nor
must It be overlooked that the present eA'
/ ecutive head Of this Republic is not "a man
whose countenanco reflects unseemly
| gloom"
Copyright 1911, by the Associated Literary
| Press.)