The Washington herald., 1915-01-29
HISTORY BUILDERS.
A Good Political Joke Of the Last
Century.
written Expressly for The waahlngtah HsFaidl
BY DIR. z. J. EDWARDS.

~SAANhiys
written Expressly for The waahlngtaa HsFaidl
BY DIR. e. J. EDWARDS.
Many years ago. when William II,
Seward was serving his first term as
governor OF New York-in the admlnis-
tratIon of Martin Van Buren-a story
was told Of him which had passed into
tradition and even at this day ls some
times narrated. because It Is believed to
contain the real spirit of humor. As the
story appeared in print. Gov. Seward was
riding beside the driver OF n stagecoach.
He smoked great number OF cigars, 50
many that the driver was little as
tonished and at last asked his companion
what his name was. Seward replied. II
am Gov. Seward"
The driver thought the passenger was
making fun of him. He was accustomed
to associate great dignity OF personal
conduct with the governor of New York.
He did not believe that a governor could
be so undignified as TO ride outside, smok-
ing cigars constantly and chatting In
the most Informal way with the driver.
He therefore denied Stewards statement
that he was Gov. Seward. whereupon
the governor said that he was personally
acquainted with the landlord OF the tav-
ern which they were approaching who
panion was in fact Gov. Seward
When they reached the tavern, Gov.
Seward said to the landlord: My friend
the coachman does not believe me when
I tell him that 1 am Gov. Seward. You
and know one another and l appeal to
you to assure my friend that / am, in
fact, what l have claimed to be-"
The landlord was a jolly man and see
ing the humor of the situation. he said
VNUW
governor Of New York State! No, sir
who, then. is governor of New York
State?" Seward asked.
''Thurlow Weed" was the instant re-
ply
Seward made no denial of this state
ment, but was, in fact, convulsed with
laughter. The point of this joke will
not be appreciated by the present genera
ton, but in those early days when every
politician Of New York knew that the
master of politicians, Thurlow Weed had
secured Stewards nomination and cleo
tion as governor, although Seward was
then very young man, the gentle and
humorous sarcasm which was in the
landlords statement that Thurlow Weed
was governor was universally appreci-
ated.
This anecdote was generally believed to
be absolutely true, especially as Gov.
Seward made no attempt to deny II. In
fact, as the anecdOte became current he
was accustomed to repeat IT TO his
friends, always being careful to say that
the story was without a foundation, but
was too good a one TO permit it to die
out
Some years ago l asked Frederick W.
Seward, Gov. Stewards son and Assistant
Secretary Of State at Washington under
his father in Lincoln's administration,
II there was any foundation for this re-
port.
1T is absolutely apocryphal," he re-
piled. There isn't the slightest founda-
tion for it. II was made out OF whole
cloth by a witty fellow as a passing joke,
but 1t was Immediately taken up, put
into print, and thus got into general
circulation. When my father first read
it in print il tickled him immensely.
He could see the humor, and although he
in private denied il, nevertheless he
would not permit any public denial Of
It to be made. Many of fathers friends
thought the story did him more good
than harm"
Copyright 1915 By L. ]. Edwards. An rights re-
seTyed.l
Tomorrow DR.. Edwards will tell of
"The Favorite Exercise OF Some Famous