The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1923-02-08
LinCOIn's Keen Sense
of Humor Endeared
Him to Countrymen

This is q tribute to Abraham Lin
coins sense of humor. Because he
was Il great American, Americans hon
or his memory each year by observing
his birthday as ii legal holiday. Be
cause he was one of its greatest Pres
ideuts, the country has preserved his
name and his fame by erecting an i'm
posing memorial in the national capt.
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 reyered because Of his noble man
hood. he is respected because of his
remarkable attachments, he is adj
mired: but because of his sense of
humor. he IS beloved, ana 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 70 have an ineXhauSt-
ible supply ut 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-
poSc-io clinch al argument, prove
q statement, or point ont Il moral.
Method in His Humor.
In many a tryin- 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
1860, he was under great nervous ten
sion, but he amused himself and en-
tertained the staff of the Springfield
Journal by telling II good n 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 a situation. Even
at times when he seemed most care
worm, 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 ap-
piled to the case in question.
Had to Laugh Occasionally.
On one occasion it is told Of how
a very sad and solemn member of
congress paid Il 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
StoIt. It DtSdU ~ tel II when ne
was interrupted by the member, who
said he was there on important nation
al business and not to hear funny
stories.
HIr. Lincoln, 1t is recorded, looked
hurt, TIE twinkle departed from his
eve. hHt he motioned the member 10
u "h"ir, and said. "Sit down, sit down.
a"d - M" explain. l have the very
hill '"rN"ct for you, and a regard
no I. loss than your own, l guess,
for tlt : ion ut large; but If I didn't
ret u - VICE 70 laugh sometimes I'd
die in my trucks. can he as seri-
Gus ns you are, hut not all the time.
Which reminds me" and he con
Guided with the sto.'T he had begun.
There were others, too, who did
not seem to 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 .is cause. On one occa.
sion when a major Who was calling
on the President with Col. Silas w.
, Burt. remarked, "Now, Mr.. President
!, tell us one Of your good stories," with
|, particular emphasis on the good
Mr.. Lincoln defended his reputation
!, rs a story teller, ny saying:
Always Had a Purpose.
II believe l have the popular repu,
| tati0n of being a story-teller. but I do
= not deserve the name In Its genera