Part 30 (1/2)
Stanton, as secretary of war, was bombarded with complaints and bickerings of the officers under him; they seemed to revel in annoying one famed for being of the irritable genus. Once he showed his princ.i.p.al a letter written in answer to a general who had abused him and accused him of favoritism. Lincoln listened with his quizzing air, and exclaimed rapturously:
”That's first-rate, Stanton! You've scored him well! Just right!”
As the pleased writer folded up the paper for its envelope, he quickly inquired:
”Why, what are you going to do with it now?”
It was to be despatched.
”No, no, that would spoil all. File it away! that is the kind of filing which keeps it sharp--and don't wound the other fellow! File it away.”
”WHAT WE HAVE, WE WILL GIVE YOU.”
It being rumored that the paper notes, ”the greenbacks,” should bear a motto as the coin had, ”In G.o.d We Trust,” it was suggested to quote from the apostles:
”Silver and gold we have not, but what we have we will give.”
It was ascribed to Mr. Lincoln from his familiarity with the Scriptures and prevalent quoting from them.
MORE ”s.h.i.+NPLASTERS” TO HEAL THE SORE.
In 1863 President Lincoln went out to condole with the beaten Unionists, whom General Hooker had led fatally against Lee at Chancellorsville. Lincoln took his little son ”Tad” with him. Amid the cheering one of the soldiers plainly voiced a terrible grievance--just when the sufferers were mostly in need of necessaries, the pay was behindhand. So one cried: ”Send along more 'greenbacks,' Father Abraham!”
The boy was puzzled, but his companion explained that the soldiers wanted their money due. The hearer thought this over for a moment, and then pertly said: ”Why don't 'Governor' Chase print some more?”
”THERE IS MUCH IN AN 'IF' AND A 'BUT.'”
Mr. Tinkler, telegraph-operator of the cipher telegrams at Was.h.i.+ngton, in the Executive residence, took the despatch announcing the nomination of Andrew Jackson, of Tennessee, to the vice-presidency with Lincoln for the second term. The latter read it carefully, and _thought aloud:_
”Well, I thought possibly that he might be the man; but--”
He pa.s.sed out of the office, leaving the hearer impressed. Indeed, it was a prophecy of the future--poor, inebriate Andy--not the Handy Andy, but the Merry Andrew of the f.a.g-end of the lamentably sundered second term. Charles A. Dana, editing the New York _Sun_, printed this drop-line, and said it was a proof that Lincoln had no hand in his Vice being proposed or nominated.
DON'T WASTE THE PLUG, BUT USE IT!
Treasurer Chase conducted the financial course of the war on the principle of each day taking care of itself; but still he resisted plans for relief not of his own conception. So he threw cold water on the Walker suggestion that the currency should bear interest with a view that holders would h.o.a.rd it. Walker's aid, Taylor, of Ohio, ran to the President for a higher hearing. But, though the President now espoused the scheme, the secretary still was counter on the ground that the Const.i.tution was against it.