Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1923-02-08
Lincoln's Keen Sense
of Humor Endeared
Him to Countrymen

This is tribute to Abraham Lin,
coins sense Of humor. Because he
was a great American. Americans hon
or his memory each year by observing
his birthday as "a legal holiday. Be,
cause he was one Of its greatest Pres
idents, the country has preserved his
name and his fame by erecting an inn
posing memorial In the national capi-
tai, writes Marjorie Elaine Porter in
the Detroit News.
Because he was Intellectually great,
the work of his pen still lives in our
educational institutions, where his
speeches are studied as examples Of
the finest and purest of English prose.
Because Of his undying patriotism, he
Is revered; because OF his noble man..
hood, he Is respected; because of his
remarkable attainments, he Is adj
mired; but because Of his sense Of;
humor, he Is beloved. and endeared:
to the hearts Of his cOuntrymen as a,
man, who with all his greatness was,
human enough to tell a good joke or
to laugh at one.
Indeed Lincoln could tell good jokes,
and he seemed to have an inexhaust-
ible supply at his command. There
are volumes Of them now published
which prove amusing and profitable
reading matter. But Lincoln's Jokes"
consisted of more than mere comedy.
They were generally told for some pur-
pose-to clinch an argument. prove
statement. or point out a moral.
Method In His humor.
In many trying crisis he showed
himself to be master of the situation
by relating some humorous anecdote
that helped to carry his point and
swing sentiment in favor Of the cause
he espOused. Under the stress of emo
ton or excitement, he relieved the
strain Of his nerves by giving vent to
his irresistible sense Of humor in
telling some funny story. When he
was waiting for the returns from the
Republican convention In Chicago In
1850, he was under great nervous ten
sion, MT he amused himself and en-
tertained the staff Of the Springfield
Journal by telling one good one after
another. until he received the telegram
announcing his nomination.
There was never a time, his biog-
raphers claim, when Abe Lincoln was
too grave or too melancholy to fail
to see the humor OF situation. Even
at times when he seemed most care
worn. and weighed down by the great
problems and responsibilities with
which he was struggling, he would sud-
denly chuckle to himself. a twinkle
would come into his eyes, and he was
reminded" Of some anecdote that APP
piled to the case in question.
Had to Laugh Occasionally.
On one occasion 1t Is told Of how
very sad and solemn member OF
congress paid visit to President Lin
coin at the White House during one
Of the darkest periods Of the Civil
war. The member seemed deeply de-
pressed. So did the President, who
nevertheless found his sense of humor
sufficiently active to think Of a funny
story. He began to tell It when he
was Interrupted by the member, who
said he was there on important nation
al business and not to hear funny
stories.
Mr.. Lincoln, 1t h recorded, looked
hurt. the twinkle departed from his
eye, but he motioned the member &c
a chair. and said. "Sit down, sit down.
and let me explain. l have the very
highest respect for you, and a regard
not much less than your own. l guess.
for the nation Mt large; hut IL didn't
get a chance to laugh sometimes I'd
die In my tracks. can be as seri.
Gus as you are, but not all the time
Which reminds me-" and he con-
Guided with the story he had begun.
There were others, too. who did
not seem b understand that Lincoln's
sense Of humor was not only a strong
stimulant for him In times Of stress
but that II was also a powerful weapon
with which he attacked his enemies
or defended his cause. On one occa.
sion when q major who was calling
on the President with Col. Silas W.
Burt, remarked, -Now. Mr.. President,
tell as one Of your good stories,- With
particular emphasis on the good"
Mr.. Lincoln defended his reputation
as story teller, by saying:
Always Had Z puspeee.
II believe I have the popular repu-
tation OF being Q story-teller, but do
not deserve the name in I'm ~>r>r.,