Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1864-12-28

AScOtNOu W use dlt COublilutiOheht eAuN
honorable means 10 eject the extinc-
ton Of Slavery within their respect
i've States, and its reduction to its
constitutional limits In the United
States" The address, read TO the
Convention of 1000 persons, prepared
by Mr.. Chase, as Chairman of the
Committee. argued the M cessity of a
political party, devoted to tho dena
tionaliEation Of Slavery. and exhibit
ed what he regarded as necessary hos
tility of slaveholding interests TO all
liberal measures
In lS47. atthe second National Lib
erty Party Convention, Mr. Chase op-
posed the making Of nomination, be-
lIeving that the agitation of the Wit
mot Proviso, and the actien of Con-
gress would more widely promote the
movement against Slavery extension;
but, in ls48, anticipating that the
Convention of the Wings and Demo
Gratis would refuse to give that move
ment any support, he prepared call
for Free Territory Convention at
Columbus, Ohio, which was largely at
tended, and which invited the Nation
al Convention that assembled at Buf-
falo in August of that year, and nom
mated Martin Van Buren, for the Pres
idency. The Platform there adopted
bore decided evidences of the intiu-
ence of Mr.. Chase.
By resolutions at its State Oonven-
tions, the democratic Party OF Ohio
had declared Slavery an evil, and had
asserted "the duty of execising all
constitutional measures to prevent its
increase. to mitigate and finally erad-
icateit." Coineiuing with these views.
and affiliating with the Democrats,
80 far as they were committed to the
Decentralization of Slavery, Mr.
Chase was put forward as candidate
for election to the United States SEN
ate, and in FEBRUARY, 1919, was chosen
a Senator from Ohio. by the votes of
all the Democratic members of the
Legislature, and of the Free Soil mem
bers with Democratic antecedents.
In 1850, Mr.. Chase gave his sup
port to the Democratic Party in Ohio,
but when, in 1852, the Baltimore Con
vention, which nominated Mr.. Pierce
for the Presidency, adopted a Plat
forui, approving the Compromise Acts
of 1850, and denouncing the further
agitation of the Slavery question, and
the Democratic Party of Ohio accept
ed that Platform. Mr.. Chase address
ed letter TO the Hon, b. F. Bntler.
of New York, announcing his determ-
ination to endeavor to secure the Or
ganization of an Independent Demo
cratic Party. He prepared a Plat
form which was, in the main, adopted
by the Indepedent Democratic Con-
vention at Pittsburg, in 1852, and
gave energetic support TO the nomi-
nees of that Convention. When the
Nebraska bill gave rise to new politi-
cal relations amsng leading men in
Congress. and in all the northern
States, Mr.. Chase was prominent and
influential among the-opponents of
that measure. He had distinguished
himself in speeches against the Com
promise measures, and he signalized
his Senatorial position by arguments
and propositions in the Nebraska Kan
sas debate, designed to confine the
action of Congress strictly within,
what he considered t. be, constitu-
tional limits, TO give popular sover-
oighty practical effect, and 10 protect
the rights of individuals and of States
In speeches and by his votes, Mr..
Chase cast his Senatorial influence
not only on behalf of freedom on all
occasions, but for public economy
for the protection and encouragement
of inland navigation-for homestead
exemption 10 actual settlers-for cheap
postage, and for the construction of a
railroad to the Pacific by the shortest
and best route No Senator was
more attentive to general business
moro courteous uniformly-or more
watchful of the interests of his i'm
mediI Ite constituents.
In July, 1855, Mr.. Chase was nom
mated Governor Before the expira-
ton of his Senatorial term, leading
public men had zealously urged his
fitness for that position as represen-
tative of the public sentiment of Ohio,
opposed to the extension of slavery.
His election vindicated the justncss
of their views. He was inaugerated
in January 1856. The canvass had
been strenuous and heated, and Mr..
Chase, while zealously supported by
the great majority Of the Anti-Ne-
braska voters, had received a cold
and reluctant support from many,
who, on other questions, feared that
he might prove an unsafe leader
These fears were greatly allayed by
the inaugural of the new Governor.
1t was calculated to harmonize and
conciliate, while at the same time it
was clear and decided on questions of
State policy, and was emphatic
against the measures of National
policy, then urged by President
Pierce and his Cabinet. 1t recon-
mended economy in the Administra-
tion of public atfairs-single districts
for Legislative representation-annu-
al instead of biennial sessions for the
aud liberal provisions for
the education Institutions of the
State. The organization of the diff
ferent State Institutions was affect
ed under appointments by the Gov
ernor in a manner which reflected the
highest credit upon his administra-
tion; adjourned in April 1856, there
was neither anxiety or doubt in any
quarter respecting the discretion or
ability of Mr.. Chase, as an Executive
officer. In the canvassing for four
to represent the Republi-
can party in the Presidential election
of 1856, Gov. Chase had the preference
of Ohio. His name was presented at
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