Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-12-17
A NEW LINCOLN STORY.
PARABLE of the Constitution and tin e
Figure of the Virgin Mary,


Don Pidtt IN North 4 ,nsricdn ReUieto.
Amasa Walker, distinguished tinan
cler of New England, had a thought that
was new. He suggested that the notes
issued directly from the government to
the people, as currency, should bear in
terest. This for the purpose not only of
making the notes popular, but for the
purpose of preventing imitation by Undue
ing people to hoard the notes as an invest
ment when the demands of trade failed to
call them into circulation as a currency.
rms idea struck MI. David Tavlor, OF
Ohio, with such force that he sought Mr..
Lincoln and urged him to put the pro-
Ject into immediate execution. The Presi-
ident listened patiently, and at the end
said: THAT is a good idea, Taylor, but
you must go to Chase. He is running
that end of the machine, and has time to
consider your proposition" Taylor
sought the Secretary OF the Treasury, and
laid before him Amasa Walkers plan.
Chase heard him through in a cold, I'M
pleasant manner. and then said: "That
is all very we'll, Mr.. Taylor, but there is
one little obstacle in tle way, and that is
the constitution" Saying this he turned
to his desk as II dIsmising both Mr.. Tay-
Tor and his proposition at the same mo-
ment. The poor enthusiast felt rebuked
and Inundated. He returned to the
President, however. and reported his de-
feat. Mr.. Lincoln looied at the would-be
hnancier, with the EXPRESSION at times so
peculiar to his homel' face, that left one
In doubt as to whether he was testing or
in earnest. "Taylor" he exclaimed, Ego
back to Chase and tel him not to bother
himself about the constitution. Say that
| have tn at anornd ivatru mao n hare at the
White House, and lam guarding 1t with
great care" Mr.. David Taylor demurred
to this, Oh the ground that Mr.. Chase
showed By bis manner that he knew all
about it. and didn't wish to be bored by
any suggestion. "We'll see about that"
exclsimed the President, and taking a
card from the table, he wrote upon it:
''The Secretary OF the Treasury will
Tlease consider MIR. Taylor's proposition.
We must have money, and think this
good way to get it. A. Lincoln"
Armed with this, the real father of the
enbacks again sought the Secretary.
He was received more politely than be-
fore, but was cut snort IN the advocacy
Of the measure by proposition for both
of them to see the President. They did
so, and Mr.. Chase made long and elabo-
rate constitutional argument against the
proposed measure. "Chase." said Mr..
LincolR, after the Secretary had con-
cluded ''down in Illinois / was held to be
pretty good lawyer, and believe could
answer every point you have MADE, but
don't feel called upon to do it. This
thing reminds me of a story
l read in q newspaper the other
day. 1t was of an Italian Captain, who
run his vessel on a rock aud knocked a
hole in her bottom. He set his men to
pumping, and be went TO prayers before
a figure Of the Virgin in the bow of the
ship. The leak gained on them. 1t looked
at last as if the vessel would go down
with all on board. The Captain at length,
in a fit of rage at moi having his prayers
answered, seized the figure of the Virgin
and threw it overheard. Suddenly the
leak stopped, the water was pumped out,
and the vessel got safely into port. When
locked for repairs the statue Of the Vir-
gin Mary was found stuck head foremost
In the hole,y JnL $40 M4o
II don't see, Mr.. President, the pre-
else application of your story" said Mr..
Chase.
"Why, Chase, 1 don't intmd precisely
to throw the Virgin Mary overheard, and
by that mean the constitution. but /
Will stick it in the hole il / can. These
Southerners are violating tn, constitution
to destroy the Union; / will violate the
constitution, IL necessary to save the
Union; and suspect. Case, that our
CONSTITUTIONS is going to have rough
time of il before we gstdone with this
row. Now, what j wan to know is,
whether, constitution asid, this project
of issuing interest bearing notes is good
one" wa
ST must say,' Responded Mr.. Chase,
''rhat with the exception .ou make, it is
not only a good one, but he only way
open TO us to raise money. Ifyou say SO,
i will do my best to put i into imme-
date and practical operation, and you
Will never hear from me ay opposition
on this subject.