Lincoln Discussion Symposium

What is your opinion of Salmon Chase, and why?

I like his fish.

Seriously, he was the second-worst cabinet pick Lincoln made because of his disloyalty (first was Simon Cameron for his dishonesty...it was said that the only thing the man wouldn't steal was a red-hot stove).

That said, he was a very effective secretary of the treasury, so some might argue that the latter cancels out the former. I'm not sure.

Best
Rob

Well, he did do a lot of wheeling and dealing [some probably questionable] to finance the war...

In writing about Lincoln's cabinet selections, Benjamin Thomas wrote in his book - Abraham Lincoln,
"Next on Lincoln's list came Salmon P. Chase. Tall, erect, with a finely shaped head and level blue eyes that lent a certain majesty to his appearance, Chase's sterling honesty qualified him for the Treasury. Touchy, ambitious, unbending, he was a leader of the antislavery radicals." (chpt. 12 Peace or a Sword, p.233)

(I had not read this far in the book when I posted the question)

Chase brings to mind Churchill's remark about Montgomery--- "indomitable in defeat,insufferable in victory"
Tom

Chase is certainly one of the less studied of the war cabinet. Either because he was less controversial, or just plain boring. He seems to be notable for three things: 1) financing the war effort, 2) father of Kate, 3) being on the $10,000 bill.

(11-13-2012 08:37 PM)Jim Garrett Wrote: [ -> ]Chase is certainly one of the less studied of the war cabinet. Either because he was less controversial, or just plain boring. He seems to be notable for three things: 1) financing the war effort, 2) father of Kate, 3) being on the $10,000 bill.

I never noticed him on the $10,000 dollar bill before. I'll have to check my wallet when I get home.