In God We Trust

The motto, "In God We Trust," now stamped upon the gold and silver coins of the United States, was, according to a popular account, suggested by a resident of Maryland. In 1861, when Salmon P. Chase was Secretary of the Treasury, this gentleman urged in a letter that, as we claimed to be a Christian people, we should make suitable recognition of that fact on our coinage. The letter was referred to the Director of the Mint, James Pollock, of Pennsylvania. In Mr. Pollock's report for 1862 he discussed the question of a recognition of the sovereignty of God and a declaration of our trust in Him on our coins. The proposition to introduce a motto upon our coins was favorably considered by Mr. Chase, who said, in his report, that he did not doubt but that it would meet with approval by an intelligent public sentiment.

But Congress gave no attention to the suggestion, and in his next annual report Mr. Chase again referred to the subject, and made a strong statement of reasons for adopting it. "The motto suggested, 'In God We Trust,' is taken from our national hymn, 'The Star-Spangled Banner.' The sentiment is familiar to every citizen of our country. It has thrilled millions of American freemen. The time is propitious. 'Tis an hour of national peril and danger, an hour when man's strength is weakness, when our strength and salvation must be of God. Let us reverently acknowledge His sovereignty, and let our coinage declare our trust in God." A two-cent bronze piece was authorized to be coined by Congress the following year, April 22d, 1864, and upon this was first stamped the motto, "In God We Trust." In his report for that year the Secretary expressed his approval of the act, and strongly urged that the recognition of "trust" be extended to the gold and silver coins of the United States. By the fifth section of the Act of Congress of March 3d, 1865, the Director of the Mint, with the approval of the Secretary of the Treasury, was authorized to place upon all the gold and silver coins of the United States susceptible of such addition, thereafter to be issued, the motto, "In God We Trust."

London Tid-Bits lately offered a prize for the best definition of Money. The prize was awarded to Henry E. Beggs, of Sheffield, whose definition reads: "An article which may be used as a universal passport to every where except heaven, and as a universal provider of everything except happiness."