In the “War Reminiscences” of General Carl Schurtz, he relates a
conversation which he had with the then famous Thomas Corwin, one of
the great orators of his day, but one whose oratory had come to be
regarded as chiefly remarkable for its display of humor. As General
Schurtz rose to leave Mr. Corwin, at the close of the interview, the
latter said to him:
I want to say something personal to you. At Allegheny City I
heard you speak, and I noticed that you can crack a joke and
make people laugh if you try. I want to say to you, young man,
if you have any such faculty, don’t cultivate it. I know how
great the temptation is, and I have yielded to it. One of the
most dangerous things to a public man is to become known as a
jester. People will go to hear such a man, and then they will
be disappointed if he talks to them seriously. They will hardly
listen to the best things he offers them. They will want to hear
the buffoon, and are dissatisfied if the buffoon talks sober
sense. That has been my lot. Look at my career! I am an old man
now. There has always been a great deal more in Tom Corwin than
he got credit for. But he did not get credit because it was
always expected that Tom Corwin would make people laugh. That
has been my curse. I have long felt it, but too late to get rid
of the old reputation and to build up a new one. Take my example
as a warning. (Text.)
(1467)
=Humor, Sense of=--See RETRIEVED SITUATION.