The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-05-22


his pupils the sons of Mr. Writ, Mr.. Clay, Mr..
Southland, General Bernard, Colonel Albert, and
other distinguished gentlemen. He also became
student in the Office of Mr.. Writ, whose init
mate friendship he enjoyed till the decease of
that great and excellent man.
In March, 1880, Mr. Chase was admitted to
the bar of the District Of Columbia, and left
Washington for Cincinnati, where he commenced
the practice of law, IN company with General
King, (son of the late Rufus King.l Mr.. Chase
soon took rank as one of the ablest and most
promising young lawyers OF the West,-rapidly
achieving reputation and fortune. Between 1892
and 1885 he began and completed an edition
of the Statutes of Ohio, in three large volumes,
which at once took rank as very important
standard work, and is still so regarded on all
hands. An historical sketch of the State, pre-
fixed to this work, remains TO this day the only
history Of Ohio.
In the spring of 1887, Mr.. Chase made his
first Anti-Savery argument. 1t was in defence
of a colOred woman, claimed as a fugitive from
service. At that period, the anti-Abolition feel
ing IN Cincinnati was SO strong that the profes-
sional defence Of person claimed as q slave
stamped the lawyer, in public estimation, with
the opprobrium of being an Abolitionist-a-
though Mr.. Chase was not SO regarded by the
Abolitionists themselves nor did he regard
argument, published at the time, he examined
the whole question Of the extradition offugi!ives
from service, denying the constitutional power
OF Congress to legislate on the subject, and
taking, generally, the same views which have
since been urged by many others on similar &C.
casions.
The argument was considered very able; but
such was then the state of public opinion in
Cincinnati upon the subject involved, that Mr..
Chase was thought to have ruined his bright
prospects at the bar, by having SO displayed
his professional duty-loreboding which were
most signally falsified. About this period, the
aforementioned anti-Abolition riots took place
IN Cincinnati, involving the repeated destruc-
ton, by mob, Of the Office of an Anti-Slavery
paper, &c. Mr.. Chase publicly took ground
against these outrages, as incompatible with
freedom of the press, exposing himself with re-
markable fearlessness to serious personal iniu-
ry, which he narrowly escaped on more than
one occasion.
Up to 1910, Mr.. Chase had taken no part i'm
political matters, though his opinions conceded
mainly with those of the Democratic party
especially in regard to internal improvement
and the Independent Treasury At this period,
however, he supported General Harrison for the
Presidency, because he believed him to be an
honest man and true patriot. He also expect
ed OF him an impartial course between the two
sections Of the Union, in respect to Slavery, in
regard to which he considered Mr. Van Buren's
course had been one Of nearly absolute submits
sion to the Slave Power
After the decease of General Harrison, Mr..
Chase took part in organizing the Liberty
Party In Ohio. He had by this time become
thoroughly convinced that the most dangerous
antagonist to the real prosperity and true honor
OF the country was the slave interest so pre-
ponderating IN the national councils. The hope
of being able to do something toward bringing
the public mind to a correct view of this i'm
portant matter reconciled him to the probable
sacrifice of political prospects, and of much
private comfort and emolument. Never, how
ever, did he permit himself to advocate any in
justice or illiberality towards the slave States
or Shareholders. He avowed, as his maxim,
"Concede to them, fully everything which they
can justly claim '0jtkin, but nothing JeyORd, the
requirements of the Constitution and such
is still his principle of action in the premises
In 1919, MIR. Chase was engaged for the de-
fence, IN the famous case Of John Van Zandt
the John Van Troup of" Uncle Toms Cabin,")
who was sued, under the statute of 1898, for
harboring fugitive from Slavery His argu-
ment in this case, before the Supreme Court at
Washington, was printed, and extensively cir
culated, and is remarkable for the ability and
power of its reasoning. In lS48, Mr.. Chase
presided at the Buffalo Convention, the az plat
form" of which was mainly the work of his
hands.
In l849, Mr. Chase was elected to the Senate
of the United States by the Legislature of Ohio,
and in 1850 delivered his admirable speech in
reference to the Compromise Resolutions"
Happy indeed would it have been for the peace
and comfort Of the country, including those of
the shareholders themselves, If the Senate had
given heed to his counsel and warning voice
During the last session of the Senate, he was
one of the most conspicuous and effective OBJ
ponents of the infamous Nebraska bill-the
bitter fruits Of the compromise measures Just
alluded tol He was also the author of the ia
nous appeal" so-called, which was sent forth
to warn the country of the schemes Of the "Re-
pealers.' Not less than five hundred thousand
copies oftbis document, in pamphlets or papers,
were put in circulation. It's did its work. con,
tributing greatly to arouse the moral sense Of
the country against the preparation Of a most
foul and nefariOus political outrage.
The Appeal" and its author, were vehement
~ assaulted by Mr.. Douglas in the Senate, and
as ably and eloquently defended by Mr.. Chase;
in doing which, he acquired new and perma-
nent laurels as orator and statesman.
Mr.. Chase has been an active aud useful
business man in the Senate, and, notwithstand-
ing his unpopularity with a majority of that
body, has been successful in some important
matters.* Among other things, may be mention
ed the appropriation, last year, for preliminary
explorations and surveys for the Pacific Rail-
road, which was brought forward by Mr.. Chase,
and passed both Houses. 1t is, however, a Gu
rlous Illustration of the jealousy of the Slave
Power towards men in his position, that at the
late session, when n select committee on the
subject Of the Pacific Railroad was raised, Mr..
Chase was carefully excluded from a place
thereon.
Mr.. Chase is still in the vigOr of life, and in
high promise of career OF future usefulness
and honor. His personal appearance and ad-
dress are attractive; his selEcommand COM
plete; his wit and humor, like that Of his late
fellow-Senator, Hale, of the most agreeable and
sparkling kind, seeming TO flow from a ready
and unfailing source. But these, and higher
and more substantial qualities of mind and
character, could not save him from political
His term of public service. in
the place which he has adorned by his learning
and eloquence, draws near to its close. He
has been superseded By the vote of the late
Democratic Legislature of Ohio, in favor of an
individual who, it is understood, will not scru-
pie to assent to, and gladly register, any and
all edicts which 1t may please the slayeocracy
to impose! The people of that great and glo-
nous Commonwealth are now, however, thor
oughly aroused to sense of the allimportance
OF being truly represented in Congress, on ques-
lions appertaining to Slavery, as well as upon
all others, and by recent overwhelming pop
alar vote have virtually ratified the conduct of
heir able, enlightened, and faithful Senator,
The subject Of this memoir.
This is rather faint praise Mr. Chase was one ofth.