New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-03-11
WITHDRAWAL OF GOV. CHASE

WITHDRAWAL OF GOV. CHASE.
The following letter from Hon. SALMON T.
CHASE to an Ohio friend announces the with
drawal of the writer from the list of those from
among whom the Unionists propose to select
their candidate for next President:
WASHINGTON March 5, 1864
MY DEAR SIR In reply to friendly letter from You
wrote you briefly not long ago. about the wishes
expressed by many, that my name might be favoraby
regarded by the People in their next choice OF Pres
dent; and closed b, saying that should friends in
Ohio manifest preference for another. should accept
their decision with the ready acqucscence due from
one who has been already trusted and bonored BY them
beyond merit expectation.
The recent action of the Union Members Of Legis
lature indicates such preference. becomes my duty
therefore-and count II more privilege than duty
to ask that no further consideration be given TO M
name.
IL was never moro important than that all onr
efforts and all our energies should be devoted to The
suppression of the Rebellion and TO the restoration OF
order and prosperity on solid aud sure foundations o
Union. Freedom sud Impartial Justice; and earnestly
urge all with whom my oounsels may have weight 70
allow nothing TO divide them while this great worn IN
comparison with which persons and even parties are
nothing remains unaccomplishcd
Cordially your friend.
Hon JAMES c. HAIL Senate Chamber. Columbus
Ohio.
Being among those who have regarded Mr.
Chase as eminenty qualified for and worthy OF
tho Presidency, and have ardently hoped-ior
the country's sake, not his--to SEQ him called to
that exalted station, We were disposed to
regret the determination proclaimed in the above
letter. We would not have him, nor any man.
seek the Presidency; but We sec not why any
one should decline it. Let every one who chooses
freely and frankly declare bic preference; let all
suggestions be calmly and eanddly weighed
! Lot majority decide what 20 bort, aud
let all unite in giving effect to that decision.
Such is our idea Of the proper manner OF select
ing a candidate; and it does not comport with
tho withdrawal Of any one prior to the Bslti-
more Convention.
But Mr.. Chase is tho head Of the Treasury
Department, ard we believe il essential that he
should, for the present, maintain that position.
At all events, it must not be said that tho Cabi-
net was broken up, and the Administration
temporarily disorganized because Of rivalry
between the President and the Secretary Of the
Treasury. We would not have justified Mr..
Chase in declining on any other ground than
that he might, by remaining candidate, dam
age or weaken the Government In this hour OF
National agony and peril. But il is his conyic-
ton on this point that his usefulness as head Of
the Treasury Department is likely to he i'm
paired by his remaining in the attitude of can
didate for President in rivalry with his official
chief; and that, Oh this ground, it was best that
he should withdraw. And We are not prepared
to combat this assumption.
We have counted among our friends AL those
who have been suggested as candidates for tho
Union nomination. Liking them all, and re-
gaTding mono of them with any other than the
kindcst feelings, we have not realized that We
gave just cause of ofFense or alienation to any
by favoring the nomination Of another. And it
is 10 disparagement Of Others to say that,
since Henry Clay, we have known no man bet
ter fitted for President by natural ability, by
study and reflection, by training and expert
ence, by integrity and patriotism, by soundness
of principle and greatness Of soul, than is Sal
mon y. Chase. And these considerations impel
us to hope that though he now peremptorily
withdraws from the Presidential canvass, his
services will not be lost to the Republic, and
that, though not in 1864, the People will yet
have an opportunity to support him as candi-
date for our Chief Magistracy.
We have heard it urged that Mr. Chase is
ambitious, and that personal aspiration has
been the impulse of his political career. If so,
he must be the most sagacious and far-sighted
Of living men. The man who had his eye on
the Presidency, yet could avow himself an Alb
oGtionist so early as 19i2-whel zee did not
dream that one SO thoroughly Anti-Slavery could
ever be chosen Governor, much less President
must be gifted with prescenee almost super
human. He must cherish, moreover, pro-
found and thorough faith in the ultimate tn
umph of justice-the sober second thought Of
the People.
Men faint and fail, but Principle and Truth
survive and endure. Mr.. Chase is but in his
later prime, and has yet mich life and
work before him. And, whether he shall or
shall not ever again be presented as candidate
Tor the highest Office in the land, We are conf.
dent that no man will ever need to blush for
having been bis supporter and bis friend. |