Frank W. Tracy, President of the First National Bank of Springfield,
tells a story illustrative of two traits in Mr. Lincoln’s character.
Shortly after the National banking law went into effect the First
National of Springield was chartered, and Mr. Tracy wrote to Mr.
Lincoln, with whom he was well acquainted in a business way, and
tendered him an opportunity to subscribe for some of the stock.
In reply to the kindly offer Mr. Lincoln wrote, thanking Mr. Tracy,
but at the same time declining to subscribe. He said he recognized that
stock in a good National bank would be a good thing to hold, but he did
not feel that he ought, as President, profit from a law which had been
passed under his administration.
“He seemed to wish to avoid even the appearance of evil,” said Mr.
Tracy, in telling of the incident. “And so the act proved both his
unvarying probity and his unfailing policy.”