Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1923-02-07
LincOIn'S Keen Sense
of HumOr Endeared
Him to COuntrymen

Z This Is a tribute 20 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 It's greatest Pres
fdents. the country has preserved his
name and his fame by erecting an Inn
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 stlll lives In our
educational Institutions. where his
Epeeches are studied as examples OF
the finest and purest Of English prose.
because ~ his undying patriotism, he
a. revered: because Of his noble man
hood. be Is respected; because OF his
remarkable attachments, he is adj
mlred: but because OF his sense Of
humor. he Is beloved. and endeared
60 the hearts OF his countrymen as a
man. who with all his greatness was
human enough 20 tell a good joke or
90 laugh az one.
Indeed Lincoln could tell good Jokes,
and he seemed 20 have an inexhaust-
fble supply nc his command. There
are volumes 81 them now published
which prove amusing and profitable
reading matter But Llncoln's Jokes
consisted 81 more than mere comedy.
They were generally told FOR some pur-
pcse-t0 cllnch an argument prove
a statement. or point out a moral
Method In His Hunor.
In many a trying crisis he showed
himself 20 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 81 emo
ton or excitement. he relieved the
strain q 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 I'm Chicago I'm
1850. he'yEas under great nervous ten
sion. but he amused himself and en-
tertained the star OF the Springfield
Journal by telling one good one after
another. until he received the telegram
announcing his nomination.
There was never n time, his bIog-
rsphers claim. when Abe Lincoln was
too grave or too melancholy 90 fall
Go see the humlr OF a situation. Even
90 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 70 himself. a twinkle
would come into his eyes. and he was
reminder OF some anecdote that ap-
piled 10 the case In question.
Had 20 Laugh Occasionally.
On one occasion IL Is told OF how
q very sad and solemn member OF
congress paid a visit to President Lin
coin nc the White House during one
a. 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 10 think Of a funny
story. He began 10 tell Il when he
was Interrupted by the member. who
said he was there on important nation
al business and not 20 hear funny
stories
NJ. Lincoln. II Is recorded. looked
burt. the twinkle departed from his
rye. but he motloned the member 10
a chair. and said. "Slt down, sit down.
and lei me explain. I have the very
highest respect for you. and a regard
not much less than your own. guess.
Tor the nation az large; but IL didn't
set a chance 20 laugh sometimes I'd
de 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
Tot seem 20 understand that Lincoln's
Eense % humor was not only a strong
ktlmulant Tor him IN times 81 stress.
hut that Il was also a powerful weapon
with which be attacked his enemies
or defended HIS cause. on one occa-
sion when a major who was calling
On the President with Col. Silas W.
Burt. remarked. 'Now. Mr.. President.
tell rs one OF your good stories" with
particular emphasis on the good"
Mr.. Lincoln defended his reputation
as story teller. by saying:
Always Had a Purpose.
4 believe I have the popular repu-
tatiOn OF being a sfory-teller. but do
not deserve the name "a its general