The National Debt.
“I have come to consult you on the enormous increase of our national debt,” said Chase to his master; “but perhaps you would rather I deferred it for the present?” “By no means,” was the reply; “its great interest claims my most devout attention.”
Falsely Telegraphed.
When it was falsely telegraphed that Charlestown was in flames, the President explained his disbelief by saying that he believed it was a flaming lie!
The Sword and the Law.
The President was lamenting to a lawyer the immense number who fell at the battle of ——. The lawyer, to soothe him, said “That those who live by the sword must expect to die by the sword!” “Yes,” said Abe; “and those who live by the law must expect to die by the law.”
Pepper v. Laurels.
When it was telegraphed that Rosencranz had gone to Cullpepper, Abe said “It was a foolish errand, and that the general was sent out to cull laurels.”