The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-08-21
MT. Chase and His AssaiIants.

WE have already spoken fully in these
columns concerning the recent gratuitous and
wholly unwarranted attacks upon the repu-
tation of Chief Justice Chase. The subject
derives additional interest from the following
allusiOn to it in private letter written
by Mr.. Chase since the charges spoken OF
we're made. He says:-
"The article in the World, of New York, is in
an excellent spirit, and not far from correct.
ISriv nooI or particuIerIy disinterested + think
am worth now about one hundred thousand
dollars should, at any rate, be quite willing
veyance of all l have in the world to anybody
who will pay my debts would willingly be
worth q great deal more IL knew of an honest
way to get worth more. All that the people are
Interested In knowing is that haven't cent
which of right belongs TO them didn't serve
money for them, and really feel that the
rascals who are slandering me ought to be de-
nounced, and this mean attempt to injure me
in the public esteem exposed. 1t is much more
important to the people than 1t is to me that
those who have served them faithfully shall be
fully and generously sustained; otherwise ras
cality Will be at premium, and those who are
trying to make them suspect me will run their
arms to the shoulders In their money-bags."
A career of distinguished public service,
and character of acknowledged probity in
all the walks of life, ought to have shielded
such man as Chief Justice Chase from the
assaults Of even the most reckless and aban-
doned malice. But while they have not done
this, they have rendered the public mind proof
against the influence of such assaults when
made. Outside the ranks of public thieves
and plunderers, who naturally fall into the
habit Of sneering at all possibility of honor or
integrity on the part OF those in official station,
we do not believe that there is man in the
United States who really thinks that the dis
tinguished ex-Secretary of the Treasury prosti-
tuted his high Office to the ends of private
gain. The gratifying and most honorable
alacrity with which many prominent Demo-
cratic journals have repelled this vile assault
upon the Chief Justice, shows that the public
mind is still very far from that condition,
most ominous of national corruption and
decay, when universal suspicion is the rule. 1t
shows that the personal reputation of our dis
tinguished public men is not yet at the mercy
of every moral rufiian who may choose to assault
them. 1t is all-important, as Mr.. Chase sug
gests, that the people should generously sus-
tain those who have faithfully served them.
The consciousness of appreciation and approval
is a reward most grateful to the deserving
public servant and one which he has richly
earned. In times like these, when there are so
much of fraud and rascality connected with
many branches of the public SERVICE the dis
tinCtion between integrity and venality should
be well marked by the people. The corrupt
functiOnary should be made to feel the weight
of popular odium, and his ill-gotten gains
should only serve to mark him the more
deeply for reprobation; while, on the other
hand, the faithful and incorruptible officer
should enjoy-in addition to that reward
which none can deprive him Of the approval
of his own conscience-the satisfaction also
of the appreciation and honor of his fellow
citizens.
In our own estimation, not the least Of the
many noble qualities which have instinctively
turned the hearts of the people towards Mr..
Chase in this crisis of our national life, when,
if ever, we have need of great statesman at
the helm of public affairs, is his acknowledged
integrity, his infexible opposition to all
schemes of extravaganza, and to every species
of rascality in connection with the affairs of
government. All thoughtful men must feel
that one of our greatest dangers arises from
the tremendous decentralization, the downright
fraud and theft, which have crept into every
branch of the public service. This must be
speedily checked, or the nation will go to ruin.
And we know of nothing that would 60 so far
to check it and to restore honesty and integrity
to every department of the Government, as to
have at the head Of affairs great statesman
and an honest man.