The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-15
MILLIoNs FOR pMFr,NsE.

The promptness with which Congress re-
Gently voted $50,OOO0OO for national defense
has given new currency to the expression
Millions for defense, but not one cent for
tribute 1t is one of those patriotic aphor-
isms which go to make up the Nations
stock of keynotes. Immortal sentiments
which the people will never let de-like
Lawrence's Don't give up the ship" Per-
rvs 1--WE have met the enemy and they are
ours" Dixs IF any man attempts to haul
down the American flag, shoot him on the
spot" Grants II propose to fight it out on
this line if it takes all summer" etc. The
expression just now in vogue originated
with Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, a South
Carolina statesman of the Revolutionary
period and one of the most thoroughly
patriotic Americans the country has pro-
duced. During the war he served on Wash
ington's staff, and later rendered valuable
service in the field. After the war he filled
some important positions and declined sue
cessively the offices of associate justice Of
the United States Supreme Court, the Sec
retaryship Of war and of state. In 1896 he
was appointed United States minister to
France, and this led to his famous utter
state. Owing TO the refusal of the United
States to become her ally in a war against
England the Directory were feeling ugly
towards this country, and they refused to
receive Pinckney. Pending his departure
from the country he was approached with
a suggestion that the United States could
purchase peace and friendship with France
by advancing large sum of money as a
loan. In his indignant reply he made use
Of the phrase, Millions for Defense but
not one cent for tribute After this he
was ordered 10 leave France This and
other incidents led to a brief war with
France and great demonstration of popu-
lar feeling. A bill was passed for increas-
ing the navy and separating it from the
War Department. Provision was made for
national loan. Washington, who had re-
tired to private life, was called to be COM
manderin-chief of the army. But the war
cloud blew over. There was some privateer-
ing and a few naval engagements occurred,
but no event of great importance. In few
it's willingness to receive another United
States minister, and the trouble was ended
Pinckney commissioned major general
by Washington, but had no chance to serve
In 1900 he was a federalist candidate for
Vice President, and for the presidency in
1904 and 1903. His famous utterance has
done good service more than once since,
notably in 1872, when, six months before
the declaration of war with England Con-
gress appropriated several millions of dol
lars to be expended under the direction Of
the President in the purchase of arms and
munitions and the Strengthening of the
army. A small copper medal was struck
bearing the legend Millions for defense,
but not one cent for tribute some of which
Were treasured long afterwards. Pinckney
was great lawyer, assisted in Training the
Constitution of the United States and left
many political papers, but his famous utter
ance has shown more vitality than anything
else he ever wrote. Just now it is very
much alive.