Political Jokes of the 1800's

We will post all Political Jokes here. Many of the jokes of the 1800's are racist. They are reflective of the beliefs many folks held during those times (goodness -- many folks still have such views now). When views such as the ones expressed in many of the jokes on this page are offensive and folks aren't sure about the appropriateness of those views, it shows that we all as people in America still have a lot to learn about one another and our history in this country (regardless of whether we are of the same race or of different races).

Maybe in time we can put things right. But what was is. One of the problems is that the news is often negative. The jokes were often put down for one group or another. Even many people who stood against slavery were racist. They just thought the Southerns should be kind to their "pets."

But at that same time the people in the Northern States had children under the age of ten working in the textile mills. These children were working long hours with very little pay. Children working in mills and slavery is not a pretty thing in our history, but it is still part of our history. How far have we come? Not far enough? Likely, but we can only try to move in the right direction.

Black Jokes

An Old Bachelor Disappointed - A funny story is told of an old bachelor in Pittsburgh, who recently had a perfect bucket of cold water dashed upon his fondest hopes. While walking along the street he picked up a thimble. He stood meditating awhile thinking of the probable beauty of the owner, and then pressed it to his lips and ejaculated -"Oh! that it were the fair check of the owner!" Just as he had finished, a big negro wench looked out of an upper window and said - "Look a heeah boss, you down dar, jis please to frow dat fimble ob mine in de entry - I jes drapt it!" The bachelor dropped the thimble and mizzled. [Maine Farmer 19 Feb 1846]

Green Back Movement in Maine
- Gov. Garcelon's Last Report (84k)
- Gov. Plaisted (98k)
- Gov. Smith (47k)
- Solon Chase (27k)

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