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 hoard 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 Constitution was against it.
"Taylor," said Lincoln, with his frankness, which resembled impiety
now, "go back and tell Chase not to bother about the Constitution--I
have that sacred instrument here, and am guarding it with great care!"
But a personal discussion with Chase was compulsory, during which the
granite man stood on the Constitution.
"Chase," finally said the decisive factor, "this reminds me of a little
sea yarn.
"A little coaster on the Mediterranean was in stress of storm. The
Italian seamen have their own ideas of behavior under disaster, and
fell on their knees to invoke the interposition of the usual
stronghold--the Madonna--of which there was a statue in wood. But, many
and genuine as were the invocations, all were unanswered. The gale
continued, and more and more damage was done the upper works. Whereupon
in a rage the skipper ordered the image to be hurled overboard. Strange
to say, almost instanter the tempest lulled, and in a short time the
bark rode steadily on the pacific waters. Come to examine the leak in
the side, they found the wooden effigy thrown over, sucked into it, and
so plugged up the cavity. The ship was saved by the castaway notion.
"Now, we are all aboard to save the ship, by any plug [Footnote: Plug,
in Western speech: any substitute, worthless otherwise; an old horse; a
leaden counter, a makeshift; the plug hat, however, comes from the
shape--a cylinder of tobacco being so called.] that is offered, since
prayers don't seem to do it. Let us try friend Amasa Walker's
proposition."
* * * * *