Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1868-06-19
Correspondence ofThe Brooklyn Uni.n.l
Ths Chief Justice---The Democracy and
the Presidency.
WASHINGTON. June II, 1865.

WASHINGTON. June II, 1865.
soon after the Chicago Convention | had
occasion to call again upon the Chief Justice
Immediately on entering the room l was
struck with his changed manner and the un-
usual ASPECT IF countenance with which he
had been accustomed TO greet me. That dig
nifed compoeure. thar blandness and serenity
which ever rested So gracefully upon his man
~ presence. was gone. Nervous, excited, al
most lettish. | hesitated making the occasion
Of my visit known. and should more hesl-
tate now had not his subsequent course gwen
full warrant to the expression Of private IN
teryiews When a great man fails Us when
the uations representative separates himself
from his friends, they have a right to know
fully and exactly why. That is Just TO him
and fair to them.
During the interview allusi0n was very
naturally made to the Chicago nomination,
in the result Of which he expressed himself as
having no interest. =. lie had been a Repub-
lican once. but they had gone away from
their principles and had read him out Of the
party. 1t had got new leadcrs-men who
6n16sed it while be himself was struggling
| for Its organization He had done more for
the partv than regiment Of the men who
had read him out Of the PARTY. They had
taken the reins into their own hands, and
now it mattered not to him what they did. -
Seeing the direction in which his remarks
were drifting. and wishing TO avert the
plunge down that prccipice, interrupted alb
| ruptly-.. But Chief Justice Chase can new
er be anything but Republican
I'm not Republican, he said, coldly,
and then. qualifying. added, I'm not par
ti,an at all. | was Democrat in myyoung-
er DAYS. was elected to the United States
Senate as a Democrat, with anti-slayery,
abolition principles.
Still wishing to draw him back, remark
| ed You had many friends who would have
supported YOU had You received the nomina-
| ton at Chicago. To which he replied ;
..Yes.I know had. hut they have read me
out Of the party and have chosen another
leader"
Again internpting, being determined to
force him to adhesion to the great party OF
progress and freedom. said, earnestly, But
YOU will not 20 to the Democrats you can
never act with that party as now organized,
never certainly with its present animus - Its
hatred Of the negro It's denunciation Of re
construction its opposition TO all great and
GOOD moral measures. You, honorcd sir,
could never find home feeling and sympathy
there You could never become co-worker
with your lifelong political enemies-men
who hold nothing in common with you. Most
assuredlv YOU could never consent TO become
the Democratic candidate for the Presi-
dencv."
Without manifesting any unwillingness 10
continue the conversation, he seemed through
HIS rl1rnteponpp
had not that cheerful. genial smile upon 1t
that used to play so gracefully over the faee
of the model American statesman. He turn
ed over file after file. and seemed disconcert,
ed, as though he had a poorcase, and had tailed
tomake his point. Taking W paper from one
side Of his table and laying it down upon the
other, he said straightly
If they would ccept Of my principles as
their platform | would. | shall not give "
nv doctrine of equal rights. They must
take that. | shall hold TO the reconstruction
measures they are right and constitutional
drew up the bill-the second one-thougt
did not have in thr military. would have
managed the affairs with civilian officers anc
called in the military, as they were needed
If could get them to endorse these princi
ules. that would settle them forever.
The conversation turned upon the condi
ton and future wants of the South, in which
, the Chief Justice manifested an over ween
, ing favoritism towards that section whicl
, might have been pardonable at another time
, but squnted, at this period, rather to-
+ strongly in the direction Of the Whit
| House.
The impression made upon my mind from
first to last bY my distinguished talker wa
: that Of a disappointed man.