The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-11-23
The Chie1 Justiocshsp-Ms. Chase -
shyiOc k-Sscretary stanton StAla

Ahead.
Our Presidential contest happily over and
out Of the way, the question OF oext Importance
before the country is: TO whom will Mr. Lin
coin assign the ermne Of the Supreme Court
Of the United States, made vacant BY Chief
Justice Tauey's death? Tho position is one Of
the highest authority, and its occupant, unless
impeached and removed, holds the fee Of tho
office for life. 1t is, truly considered, Of more
Importance than tho Presidency itself; for,
while we can get rid Of an obnoxious or in
competent chief magistrate once in every tonr
years by the regular action Of popular sui
TRACE, the office Of Chief Justice Of our highest
national court is a permanent one, and has
been wisely surrounded by 80 many and such
powerful safeguards that nothing but the very
grossest misconduct or incompetency could
avail TO GUST any incumbent once appointed
and sworn in The Office, moreover, in proper
hands. is OF the highest influence and dignity,
and il therefore becomes the duty OF the Pre-
sident to use his utlnos. wisdom and liberality
in the selection OF the gentleman who is to
eli it.
The choice Mr.. Lincoln is said TO be inclined
not q bad one-though there are many whs
would have preferred TO see Senator ReverdY
johnson in the position. Mr.. Stanton, how.
ever, is an excellent lawyer; man OF sterling
integrity and immense industry; practit.onsr
OF enlarged experience in the courts OF thA
United States while Is his two last, but NOS
least, recommendations, we may add-that U
appointed Chief Justice he would. tpso facso,
cease 10 be Secretary Of War, and shat thers'
are tew men on the continent who would pre-
sent more picturesque appearance than M.
Stanton on the chief seat OF the Supreme
Bench his lionine heard flowing wildly over
the desk before him, and his spectacles CLEAN
ing like two carriage lamps each side Of bin
capacious forehead. But to Mr.. Stant0ns
appointment there are two serious Obstacles
first. in the shape Of an old. actual or implied
promise made by Mr.. Lincoln to Salmon T.
Chase, OF Ohio; aad secondly, Ia the bitter
opposition Of Mcssrs. Seward. Weed and the
conservative republicans. who are up in
arms for Vim. M. Evarts OF this city.
It would seem that one Of the conditions
upon which Mr. Chase. after resigning his port
folio az Secretary Of The Treasury, is said 70
have agreed to support Mr. Lincoln and to
abandon General Fremont, the radical re-
publican nominee for the Presidency WAS the
offer made by Mr. Linc9ln Of TIE Chief Justice
ship--an office upon which Mr.. Chase had long
cast hungry eyes The election over, this bar
gain like many others Of the same class has
been rcpented Of; and efforts Of every kind arc
being made by the Wecd-Seward conservative
A., hasa 10 roIs s,b
claims. He has been offered the mission to
England, France. OF any European Power he
would consent to accept. either for himself or
his son-in-law, Governor Spragoe 81 Rhode
Island; but the inventor Of 'greenbacks" re-
mains in an obstinate humor, and declares, in
all companies and on all occasions. that no
cant see il in that particular light" He is.
10 fact. playing the role Of a political Shylock,
and stands upon "the letter Of his bond His
pound OF flesh is the Chief Justceship Of the
United States; and have it he must, or lie
upon your promises"
Ia this emergency the astute and Industrious
Weed Seward men have hunted up an old
speech made by Mr.. Salmon r. Chase in refer
ence to the bred Scott ecision. in which orr
Ohio statesman boldly and emphaticaly took
the ground that while the Supreme Court OF
the Union had upon its bench very respect
able body Of old fossils, and while its dccisions-
IN any given case were OF great importance to
the parties directly involved in the litigation.
such decisions were Of no public or national
importance whatever: had no binding force
over the general politics Of the country, but
were to be utterly disregarded and set at
nought, save only by the direc, parties to tho
suit in regard to which the opinion Of the
Court was delivered To place such man,
with this record, in the place once occupied by
4 Marshall and fancy, would be
only--contcnd the Weed-Seward men,
20 challenge public contempt Tor the de-
cisions Of our highest tribunal; and in
this view Of the case Mr.. Lincoln ia understood
10 very cordially agree. The further pro-
oramme OF the Weed-Scwardites, il to fight
Chase against Stanton until both, like the Kill
kenny cats. are thoroughly used up-in the
hone that Mr. WIN. NJ. Evarts, Of this city, may
hnaly be picked up by Mr.. Lncoln as the com
promise nominee.
A Is Mr.. Lincoln himself, his predictions
and Judgment are said to be strongly IN Secre-
tlry Stanton's favor FIRST, on the ground or
superior fitness; and secondly. Tor the reason
ia, N, Stanton has been seriously broken
ao,v, IN health by his unremitting devotion to
az, ,ohora and anxieties OF his present place.
Th,, Tho President will dud means to shake OF
a. ,batc the claims OF Mr. Chase we have every
ooossepce. taking as our reason for this faith
that is in us his mastery explanation Of the
"1o whom IL may concern manifesto. Some
days after that startling document had been
published, aud while excitement about II was
at the highest, MIR. Lincoln was waited upon BY
some conservative friends who declared