New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-12-07
THE CuIEF.JUsTICEsHIP.

ThE 10
Tha. the appointment Of Salmon T. Chase
/ to the chief seat in the Supreme Court of the
United States would bo received by us WIZ
more than ordinary pleasure, it is hanl-
llv necessary to say, for the high esi-
mate in which we hold his intellectual
and moral qualities have never been
concealed In that pleasure avery largeproPor'
ton of the people will sympathize. wo know.
On this point We are not left to conjecture, nor
to the ordinary deduction that inasmuch as NJ
Chase has fox many years filed positions of high
responsibility and trust. always with hono'
to himself aud with the popular appreciation,
that therefore his farther advancement must be
looked upon with favor; for we know from the
testimony of mon impartial, peculiarly fitted to
form correct estimate of the popular Judgment,
and who have recently travelled widely over the
Northern States. that it was universal ana
forcgone conclusion among thoughtful and loyal
men that the vacant Enthusiastically should
be given to Mr. Chase. That the President has
thought fit to so bestow this Office is therefore
properly matter of public consratulation, and
Mr.. Lincoln will receive the thanks of the
country that his judgment is so perfectly in ac'
cord with the popular wish.
Mr.. Chase was known for his eminent legal
attanmentS and his high standing at the bar
long before he rose to any political distinction
From this, indeed, his course in early LIE cut
him oft completely, for he SO identified himself
with the Abolitionists OF quarter OF century
ago and more, that political advancement was
then impossible. Bat it was not merely the
humanitarian aspect of the question that in
duced him thus early to identify himself with
the anti-Slayery party; he disccrned that in
the growth of the Slave power, and ifs constant
encroachments upon constitutional liberty, lay
our future danger, and that out OF this little
cloud, seemingly then not bigger than mans
hand. was to come the tempest put THAI was to try
the strength and endurance Of our republican
form Of government. In the course Of time po-
litical parties came TO him, and while his early
principles have never been forgotten or denied,
no as a popular representative, as Governor,
Senator, a powerful candidate for the Presi-
dency, and as Cabinet Minister, has led the
advanced column of the steady progress
of popular love Of Liberty, and
true Republican Government, which has
so far carried the nation triumphantiy
through the most trying and terrible war the
world has ever seen, waged on the clearest
issues ever accepted BY any people To no man
in the country, probably, has constitutional law,
its relations to the absolute rights OF the citizen
and the reserved rights of States, been subject
Of severer and deeper study than TO Mr.. Chase.
The natural bent of his intellect and the habits
of his life have alike fitted him for Judicial posi-.
ton. In the coming events, when the Civil
and Military powers have done their part,
there will still remain an important work for the
judiciary to do in the reconstruction OF the
Union, and in settling upon sure foundation
those great principles upon which the Republic
is TO be rebuilt. To no hands could it be go
safely intrusted as to those Of Mr. Chase. 1t
was not merely proper that the new ChieiJus-
tice should be man learned in the law; twas
absolutely essential to the perpetuity OF the
Government that he should also be Il statesman
of wide aud comprehensive views, and one
whose mind is hsbitdated to the contempla
ton and study Of the new order OF events
which are crowding so tLickly upon
us. Never since the Union was formed
has the office Of ChiefJustice required more
varied or more eminent qualities OF bead and
heart; never has the appointment to that dis
tiuguished position needed more careful consid-
Grafton, or demanded wiser adjustment Of all
the relations involved in the selection. In the
choice nc has made, Mr.. Lincoln has bestowed
it upon the man who, among all his compecrs,
stands out, by common assent, as best fitted by
nature and education to fulfill its duties.