GDG- Lincoln and his flying brethren

[Dennis Lawrence]

Saturday, December 5, 1840.
Courier, Month

Whigs, eager for party reasons to prevent sine die adjournment of House, 
absent themselves so there will be no quorum. Lincoln, Gillespie, and 
Gridley are present as observers. Over-confident, they vote on roll call. 
When quorum is announced they are taken by surprise, lose their heads in 
excitement and jump out window—all to no avail.

Annotation:

Lincoln had become a leader in the Illinois legislature and he repeatedly 
opposed proposals by Democrats to audit the Illinois state bank. In 
December 1840 the Illinois Democrats wanted to require the bank to make 
payments in gold or silver instead of paper. The bank was authorized to 
continue its suspension of specie payment through the end of the year. 
Lincoln wanted desperately to avoid this outcome, so he bolted for the door 
and instructed his fellow Whigs to follow him. Without a quorum the 
legislature could not vote to adjourn, and the suspension of specie payment 
would continue.

But the door was locked and guarded, so Lincoln literally jumped out of the 
first-floor window, followed by his lemming-like Whig followers. The 
Democrats ridiculed him as "Lincoln and his flying brethren," and his stunt 
failed anyway.

http://www.lewrockwell.com/dilorenzo/dilorenzo30.html


 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Bloom: No way out. No way out.
Bialystock: Bloom, Bloom, maybe it's not true
Bloom: No way out. No way out.
Bialystock: Let's hear what the majority thinks.
Bloom:  The majority. The  majority. Yes. Let's hear from the majority.

The Producers