National Republican., 1880-12-15
AN HISTORICAL RELIC.
In iI.x.

On Saturday afternoon, while O REPUBLICAN,
commissioner was measuring marble slabs in one
OF the corridors, q stranger to him appeared in
front of the Secret Service Division, with q s.
greenback, which attracted considerable stten-
tion, not TO say alarm, for the personal safety Of
the exhibitor considering the locality.
TWAS q queer production, tested In the crucible
OF expert workmanship today, but probably fair
sample Of that produced in the earlier and purer
days of the Republic"
II was printed on ordinary bank note paper, hay.
ing the usual green back, and little hgiire5 en-
closed In a circle, executed In what Is known as
the gcometrical lathe work, distributed all over
the design.
The face contained on the right hand side a full
statue of the Goddess Of Liberty, which bore
faithful resemblance to the g. legaltender issue Of
1868.
The signatures were all written, as follows:
~. Dickson for Register Of the Treasury"
States"
Its general makeup was so queer in appearance
that the average impccunious Washington Journal
ordinary good opportunity offered. To the casual
observer q suspicion of bad counterfcting would
at once be aroused while the experienced lnancier
for II is infinitely inferior to the poorest counter
felt, 1t reads on the fase as follows:
"WAsHINGToS, Aug. 10, 1861.
payable by the Assistant Treasurer OF the United
States ut Philadelphia. The United States promises
to pay to the bearer on demand Ave dollars"
On the border u reads.
Receivable In payment for all public dues"
The keen eye OF an employee Immediately dis
closed the issue, its occasion and the historical
facts connected with Its origin.
BIT OF HISTORY.
Sumter was fred on In April, 1861. The stubborn
pcrsistcncy which daily characterized the action Of
the South caused President Lincoln TO call an extra
session of the Thirty seventh Congress to convene
on the 4th day of July ensuing
Upon the 5th day OF July the Presidents message
was read, and In that memorable document, after
n review of the reasonable conduct of the Slave
state politicians, he said:
an no,g recommended Uat you gire he legal means
for pdkingthis contest short and decisive one that uou
place al he coniroi Of DC Gorernmed for Ne worG al
lcd9 100000 men and 500, 100000"
This was the first ring of the true metal that had
national authority. On July ., 1851, while the SEN
ators of the United States were delivering culogics
upon the death Of Stephen A; Douglass, there arose
the Hon. Thad Stevens, of Pennsylvania, who IN.
nounced that he would on the morrow call mp the
bill (H. +; No ~ to authorize q national loan,
which bill he now reported as chairman Of the
Committee on Ways and Means. 1t will be recol-
lectcd that the notorious ynllandigham, of Ohio,
Ing the bill in yilely dcnouncing the war for the
preservation OF the country az cruel and unconsti
tutional.
Without a reply the bill was passed, receiving
but negative votes, viz: Burnett, of Kentucky
Norton and Reid, Of Missouri; Vallandigham, of
Ohio, and Wood ofNew York.
motion Of Mr.. Fcsscnden, of Maine, read and re-
ferrcd to the Committee on Finance, On the 18th
DAY OF July the Scnte pusseu the Dill WIN amend
ments and returned II TO the House, who concurred
In the amendments. Amer receiving the signature
fSpeaker Grow, 1t was at once taken TO the White
House.
Before sundown on that eventfrl day President
Lincoln had plnced his signature In all It's sim.
plicity and power TO the bottom Of u paper which
gave yitalzing force to the Government TO a de.
gree that encouraged the intelligent and patriotic
manhood Of the Nation TO believe that arrogance
and treason could no longer throttle freedom in
America.
The amount Of notes issued under this law has
not been ascerained for the Secretary Of the Treas
ury had the discretion 10 also issue both certificates
OF coupon or registered stock or Treasury notes in
erest or noninterest bearing, In such proportions
OF each as he might deem advisable. This note was
| one of that issue.
| The amount appropriated for all was only $780,
100000. Whatever notes circulated at that time
did not find very permanent lodgment among
the people for the reason that they were called IN
and exchanged for the note of June 25 1862, which
exempted the legal.tender quality from duties on
| imports and interest on the public debt.
| The greater part OF that portion Of the issue SCI
apart for notes never saw the Treasury again, and
It's confidently believed that nearly all the smaller
denominations and much Of the larger were util
lied by the "boys in blue" In lighting their cigar
during periods Of festivity, after hearing "good
news from the front"
The gentleman who held this patriotic emblem
doubtless contemplates handing II down to hi
progeny even though they live In a seeding
| State.
There is one incoutrovcrtible fact in connection
with the life Of this stalwatt pioneer in American
fnance--that II has never been counterfeited, ant
proved to be In the time OF our country's need
should be permitted to retire with all Its aurels
| aud without the bcmish of false personatioT
| hanging about Its sacrcd memory.