File It Away!
Stanton, as secretary of war, was bombarded with complaints and bickerings of the officers under him; they seemed to revel in annoying one famed for being of the irritable genus. Once he showed his principal a letter written in answer to a general who had abused him and accused him of favoritism. Lincoln listened with his quizzing air, and exclaimed rapturously:
“That’s first-rate, Stanton! You’ve scored him well! Just right!”
As the pleased writer folded up the paper for its envelope, he quickly inquired:
“Why, what are you going to do with it now?”
It was to be despatched.
“No, no, that would spoil all. File it away! that is the kind of filing which keeps it sharp—and don’t wound the other fellow! File it away.”
“WHAT WE HAVE, WE WILL GIVE YOU.”
It being rumored that the paper notes, “the greenbacks,” should bear a motto as the coin had, “In God We Trust,” it was suggested to quote from the apostles:
“Silver and gold we have not, but what we have we will give.”
It was ascribed to Mr. Lincoln from his familiarity with the Scriptures and prevalent quoting from them.