Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1864-07-06
The Tender of the Secretary
ship-GOv. TOd's Defamation.


The following IS the business like tele-
graphic correspondence between Presi-
dent Lincoln and Gov. Tod.
Mr.. %LINcoLN's DISPATCH.
WASHINGTON. June 80, 1864.
Hon. DAVID TOP. Youngstown:
I have nominated you to the office of
Secretary of Treasury in place of Gov.
Chase who has resigned. Please come
without a moments delay.
A. LINCOLN.
GOV. ToD's REPLY.
YOUNGSTOWN, o, June 80, "a.
To PRESIDENT LINCOLN, Washington:
The condition of my health forbids the
acceptance of the distinguished position
you offer me. Grateful for this mark of
your confidence, am sincerely yours,
DAVID TOD.
The d~eclination of Gov. Tod was tele-
graphed~ Immediately upon receiving the
dispatch from the President, and Mr..
Lincoln must have known Gov. Tod's de-
cision before the evening papers of hat
day announced the resignation Of Mr..
Chase and the nomination by the Presi
dent. In this connection we copy the
following remarks of the New York
Times:
''Gov. Tod, who is said to have been
nominated as successor to Mr.. Chase is
one of the ablest, staunchest and most
influential supporters of the Union cause
in the Western States. He was a Demo
z-ox o,,oIlv b,,T roua h1s -rooo-E 49,
hesitating and most effective support to
the Government the instant it was assail-
ed. As Governor of Ohio during the ear
ly stages of the great contest, he contrib
uted largely to the vigor and success of
the war, nor has he ever withheld any
effort, either of any act, of voice, of pen
or of purse, to strengthen the arms or Sc
cure the triumph of the Union. He was
before the wal a Douglas Democrat, and
did everything in his power, as a mem
Der of the Charleston Convention, to Sc
cure the nomination and subsequently the
election of Mr.. Douglas to the Presi-
dency. But when his efforts failed, and
the slave holding conspirators attempted
to overthrow the decision of the people
by force, Gov. Tod promptly followed the
lead of Douglas, and threw himself heart
and soul into the vindication of the true
Democratic principle that underlies the
| Government-the right of the majority
to rule. He is a man of very large bust
ness interests, of great wealth-which he
has accumulated wholly by his own ex-
ertions-and of broad and comprehensive
views of public affairs. He was a mem.
Der of the Baltimore Convention, and was
| active and earnest in his efforts to pro.
mote the nomination of Lincoln and John.
son."
The remarks of the Times are true to
the letter, and it might have said more,
with truth. Here, where Mr.. Tod has
been well known for years, he has the
reputation of being one of the ablest Of
inanciers. He has managed his large pri.
vate business with great skill and success,
and,-those who have the best opportu.
nifty for knowledge of the matter, all
assert,-with the most perfect system,
and order. He has always been most lib
eral of his money and his time for
the public good. That the same
ability, industry and success would have
characterized his management of the
Government finances, as he has ever e
hibited in the management of his own,
we believe the result would have shown,
had he accepted the position offered him
by the President. Neither his private
business, no the state ofhis health, which
has suffered from his severe labors as Gov
ernor, would permit this. Mr.. Tod, we
learn, has gone to Avon Springs, N. Y.
to try the effect of those waters, and of
rest, upon his exhausted energies.
The appointment of Mr.. Fessenden, of
Maine, to the vacant Secretaryship, will
give universal satisfaction to the Union
men of the country. He is a man of en-
inent ability, and though the people will
greatly regret the declination of Mr..
Chase, they will feel confidence in the
integrity and ability of his successor.