Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-07-21
HOW SENATOR CHASE RUINED HIMsEIr.

The Milwaukee Free Democrat reprints q
paragraph from o Wisconsin paper, compli-
menting highly the recent argument of BYRON
PAINE against the constitutionality of the Flu
gitive Slave Act, but expressing great regret
that his unfortunate idiosyncrasies Of opinion
should close against him other eminenccs which
years and study would SO well fit him to
adorn y and under the caption Running ones
self-s Case in Point" relates an incident in
the life Of Senator Chase, as follows:
1.-THE earliest Anti Slavery argument of Sem
ator Chase, of Ohio, which was thought worth
being printed, was q defence of the colored
woman MATILDA claimed as o fugitive from
slavery 10 that argument, delivered in March,
1887, he used this language: lie was arguing
the unconstitutonality Of the Fugitive Slave
Act OF 1881
al look with confidence to the Judiciary Of
the country. feel assured, that though my
reasoning may fail to convince this court other
courts, and perhaps this court, at another time,
If not now, will pronounce this act UScoSsTI-
TUTIoSAL, REPUGNAST TO THE ORDINANCE OF
1887. suBvERsIvE OF THE FIRST PRINCIPLES
OF CIVIL LIBERTY, AND, THEREFORE,, NULL AND
VOID
N great crown WAS CUllectt0 III the OOuIt
House, but il was the period Of ultra Anti-Abo-
tion ascendency in Cincinnati, and he looked
in vain forA single friendly face. There were
friendly faces and friendly hearts there, as the
future proved, but no did not know it. All
around everywhere there were scowling looks
rs If he was promulgating treason. Many
honest people no doubt really thought go, and
in their hearts believed that their scowls upon
him were required by patriotism and duty
After he bad closed his argument, as he passed
out through the crowd, nobody greeted him
with friendly cheer, or even coDgratulation
that he had made creditabIe argument. One
remark only fell upon his ear, which came from
a veteran politician. Well said he, there
goes promising young man, who has ruined
himself forever
alt so happened that among bis auditors at
this time was a young medical student at
tending lectures in Cincinnati. Mr.. Chase did
not know him. and, except a. tho advocate Of
the cause, he did not know Mr.. c. Shortly
afterwards he went abroad, and fpcnt several
years in Europe, qualifying himself for pro-
fessiopsl career. Finally he returned, and en-.
tered into practice in one OF the counties Of
Ohio. Mr.. Chase pursued quietly the practice
Of the Law, never changing the opinions he
avowed before the Court Of Common Pleas, adj
vocasing them before the Sopreme Court of the
United States, and finally making them the
basis also Of his political action.
I'm 1648, the medical student was elected q
member Of the Legislature Of Ohio His name
was Norton 5. Townshend. He was Demo-
crat, bat an independent Democrat Ii 80
happened that the Old Line Democrats had not
q majority in the Legislature, and Of course
could not elect one Of their own number to the
Senate without q coalition with the Wings.
Rather than do this, they preferred to elect q
Democrat unshackled BY their national party
ties. Townshend proposed Mr., Chase, and the
result was his election. The primary and con-
trolling reason for TowDsbends preference Of
Mr. Cnnse, was bis argument In the Matilda
case, and the Independence Of character which
he thought it displayed
"If Senator Chase was ruined by his advoca-
cy Of the same views MIR. Paine has presented,
there are great many who would like to be
ruined In the same way. And though o seat
in the Senate, as at present constituted implies
more Of duty and self denial than Of pleasure
and honor, yet, no doubt, the Argus regards ID
az one of pre-eminent honor and Importance,
from which Byron Paine's argument will en-
clude him.
70 Yesterday was warm day, the Their
momeser at Washington getting rs high as 80
At New York, at half past two o'clock, % To
100, in the shade At Schenectady, at thret
o'clock, 102 in the shade, being the hottest
since 1885, AT Cincinnati, 90 10 the shade
several deaths from suu-stroie At PhiIadel
49,.