Though as far back as Doctor Johnson, punning was regarded as obsolete,
it was still prevalent in the United States and so up to a late date.
Mr. Lincoln was addicted to it.
Mr. Frank B. Carpenter was some six months at the presidential mansion
engaged on the historical painting of "The President and the Cabinet
Signing the Emancipation Act," when the joke passed that he had come in
there a _Carpenter_ and would go out a _cabinet-maker_. An usher
repeated it as from the fountain-head of witticism there.
At a reception, a gentleman addressed him, saying: "I presume, Mr.
President, you have forgotten me?"
"No! your name is Flood. I saw you last, twelve years ago, at ----. I
am glad to see that _the Flood_ still goes on."
The Draft Riots in New York, mid-July, 1863, had, at the bottom, not
reluctance to join the army, but a belief among the Democrats, notably
the Irish-Americans, that the draws were manipulated in favor of
letting off the sons of Republicans. However, the Irish were prominent
in resistance. The President said: "General _Kilpatrick_ is going to
New York to put down the riots--but his name has nothing to do with it."
In 1856, Lincoln was prosecuting one Spencer for slander. Spencer and a
Portuguese, Dungee, had married sisters and were at odds. Spencer
called the dark-complexioned foreigner a nigger, and, further, said he
had married a white woman--a crime in Illinois at that era. On the
defense were Lawrence Weldon and C. H. Moore. Lincoln was _teasled_ as
the court sustained a, demurrer about his papers being deficient. So he
began, his address to the jury:
"My client is not a negro--though it is no crime to be a negro--no
crime to be born with a black skin. But my client is not a negro. His
skin may not be as white as ours, but I say he is not a negro, though
he may be a _Moore!"_ looking at the hostile lawyer. His speech was so
winning that he recovered heavy damages. But being a family quarrel,
this was arranged between the two. Mr. Weldon says that he feared Mr.
Lincoln would win, as he had said with unusual vehemence:
"Now, by Jing! I will beat you, boys!"
By Jing! (Jingo--St. Gengulphus), was "the extent of his expletives."
Byron found a St. Gingo's shrine in his Alpine travels.
On paying the costs, Lincoln left his fee to be fixed by the opposing
pair of lawyers, saying: "Don't you think I have honestly earned
twenty-five dollars?"
They expected a hundred, for he had attended two terms, spent two days,
and the money came out of the enemy's coffer.
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