American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1864-03-02

HEs ShstsS anu Inc hESSRueucys
We have not one word to say against
the fitness of Mr.. Chase for the high Office
of President of the United States He
is statesman and patriot He is anti
slavery to the backbone. He is certainly
honest, If he should receive the nomi-
nation for the Presidency by convention
of our party, we would work for him to
the day of the election with all the abili-
ty we possess. IF elected, as we believe
he would be if fairly nominated, we feel
sure that he would make good President
Having said this much by way of in
dorsement of Mr.. Chase's fitness, we feel
that we have some right to criticise the
means by which his nomination and cleo
ton are sought to be secured. Mr., Chase
and his interests are not in good hands
We might almost say that Mr.. Chase is
not in good company. For weeks the
country has known that there was move
ment on foot to make him President upon
the conclusion of Mr.. Lincoln's term
The nature of that movement-the fing-
ers with which it was manipulaed-the
oil which fabricated it-were not so well
known. Its secrets, however, have been
at last disclosed.
The telegraph yesterday morning brot
us two items of important intelligence
one to the effect that the National Repub-
lican Committee, of which Senator Nor
gan is Chairman. had adopted a call for a
on the 9TH day of June next; another
consisting of the Chase circular, which
will be found on our first page this NOR
ming, and which advocates the nomina-
tion of Mr.. Chase by the just called con-
vention. Both documents-the call and
the circular-were evidently the result of
concerted, as they were of simultaneous
action The "Chase movement" produ-
ced them.
We object to both. IF there were no
other reason, we object to the call for the
convention because it has been hitched on
to the movement in favor of Mr.. Chase
But we object to it for other reasons. 1t
is premature. The Union party of the
country had not called for it. The pub
lie mind was not prepared for it. The
military situation forbade it, The action
of the Opposition party in calling their
convention to meet a MONTE later, viz: on
the 4th of July, absolutely prohibited it
as matter of common sense. We hope
we earnestly hope-that the Committee
may be induced to reconsider their action,
and postpone the holding of the conven-
ton until August or September,
Touching the circular, we do not hesi-
tate to say that we do not like its tone
More than this, we do not like its dsser-
tions. 1t is not manly. 1t is not truth
FIJI. 1t is mean This base attack upon
Mr. Lincoln and his Administration will
not make any friends for Mr.. Chase among
honorable men. We risk nothing in say
ing that it will do him positive harm
wherever it is read, unless its statements
be speedily contradicted and promptly
disavowed by Mr.. Chase himself He is
a member of Mr.. Lincoln's Cabinet, and
| as man of honor he must at once disa-
vow the action of his friends or resign
his portfolio. We trust that he will dc
the former, and thus preserve his honor
and his hold upon the affections of the
people.
Below is the Circular Letter issued in
behalf of the claims of Secretary Chase
to the Presidency, and referred to in oul
Washington dispatches.-PH. Gazette.
CsTRICTLY PRIVATE
WAsHINGToN, (D.C. Feb. 1864
SIR: The movements recently made
throughout the country to secure the re-
nomination of President Lincoln render
necessary some counteraction on the part
of those unconditional friends of the Union
who differ from the policy of his Admin
istration.
So long as no efforts were made to fore
stall the political action of the people il
vas both wise and patriotic for all true
1 friends of the Government to devote
their influence to the suppression of the
rebellion. But when it becomes evident