The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-08-11
From the Cleveland True Democrat.
OFFICIAL ACTS OF SENATOR CHASE NO. /.

We have long thought that justice had not
been done to the official acts Of Mr.. Chase by
the press of Ohio. Being a member, at the
time of his election, Of party who had but few
established presses, they have not been able to
keep the people of the State generally informed
of his doings as Senator Respecting these
doings the Wing and Democratic papers have,
for the most part, maintained studied silence.
In one respect, this speaks well for his course
They haze found nothing 10 condemn in his Of
fetal conduct. Had they, it would have been
trumpeted from one end of the State to the
other Their very silence, therefore, speaks vol
umes in his favor But this is not enough. As
\ representative Of the people of the State in
| the United States Senate, his official acts
| should be spread before the people, that they
| may examine them, and pronounce judgment
upon them and him. that if faithful to his
trust, they may say "well done IF unfaithful
that they may say, depart" We have had
occasion, Of late, to examine thJLproceedings of
the Senate during the time he has been mem.
Der OF that body, and have been highly im.
pressed with his industry, his talents, his indie
pendence, his judcious management, and in
many cases, his meritOrious success and we
have concluded in q icw Grief editorials to re-
Ter to his official course, to spread it before the
public, AZ an act Of justice to them and him.
believing that the people Of all parties are now
in proper state.of mind to examine into and
| appreciate his acts
| At the time ri lr Chase election TO the
United States Senate he was iorty.one years of
age, and had emphatically been the architect
of his own fortune. His father died when he
was but lad, leaving his mother with farm
and ten children. He was, therefore, probably
fortunately, obliged to support and educate
himself. This he did, and had for many wears
| been doing an extensive law business when he
was elected. Up to that time he had no expe-
Renee AZ legislator. never having previously
been member Of any lsgisisti7e body; but his
habits the natural constitution of his mind,
and his requirements, all contributed TO pre-.
eminently qualify him for the discharge of the
duties appertaining to his new field Of labor.
He has always been in the habit Of doing his
own thinking. Disciplined to thoroughly in.
vestigate every subject on which he is called to
act OF express an opinion he ayaiis himself OF
every source of light within his reach, and then
views it in all its aspects, and forms his own
opinion and confidently acts upon it, He never
was made blindly 10 follow tho lead of any, OF
be slave to the dictates of any party. 1t il
enough for me0 said he in debate in the
Senate "that the opinions Which maintain
are commended to the approval OF my oyp
| Judgment by the forcc Of reason-enough that
am myself satisfied that those opinions are
sound, Just, and constitutional"
On no occasion does he fear to avow and do
iend the opinions which he adopts, In defend
ing them he is always courteous aud candid
but firm and decided He quails before nc
earthly power. Soon after he entered the Sen
ate, Mr., Batter, of South Carolina, made IN
attack upon him, charging him with holding
the doctrine that person might take m oath
to support the Constitution Of the United States
and ut the same time make mental reserva
ton OF those clauses which refer directly or in
directly to slavery. He could not have touched
Mr.. Chase in mors tender point Nc has nj
mental rssrpotions. He despisep deception ia
every form. His firm, dgni6ed, and indignant
reply, gave him an immediate standing In the