The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1868-01-30
The Presidency Ahead.
GRANT-CHASE.
BY HORACE GREELEY.
From The Independent.

FROM Inc Independent.
Senator Wilson's able and forciblO pre-
sentiment of his reasons for supporting
Gen. Grant as the Republican candi-
date fer next President have, ere this,
been widely and earnestly pondered.
This was due alike to the Importance
of the subject and the character Of the
writer. Let me now "show mine opin-
ion" of Chief-Juslice Chase's qualifica-
tions, and indicate some Of my reasons
for preferring him to Gen Grant, or
any suggested competitor.
|. Salmon P. Chase, born in 1909, is
i'll the ripe maturity ofhis powers. He
is unquestionably among the ablest
Americans now living. He has been
more than thirty years familiar with
public affairs, and has filled with honor
the responsible posts Of U. S. Senator
Ito which he was twice elected for
full term of six years. Governor Of
Ohio Ito which he was also twice elect
ed), Secretary of the Treasury, and
Chief-Justice of the United States,
which he now holds. No man now liv-
ing has enjoyed larger opportunities for
qualifying himself for the Chief Magis-
tracy, and | think none has more fully
improved them. So far as talents,
character, experience, and eminent SER
vice can qualify man for President Of
the United States, | submit that no one
can present stronger claims to public
confidence than he does. And he has
held no station which did not derive
additional dignity and public respect
from his conduct therein.
II. When speak of "claims to pub
lie confidence" I do not mean claims to
office. No one can lay claim to so lofty,
so important post as the Presidency.
Mr. Chase now holds a highly respons-
ible trust; Gen. Grant holds another
such. Each is held practically for life.
Gen. Grant is far the better paid but
the country does not grudge him one
dime of his compensation, and hopes he
may live to earn and enjoy it these for
ty years. And yet the divine rule.
"Render unto Cesar" etc, is nowise
strained in the application which indi-
Gates that exalted Military achievement
should be recognized and rewarded by
Military promotion; and the same rule
applies to eminent Civil service as well.
III. Let any able, strong man be ask
ed, (Which post would you accept as
the less arduous-if our civil war was
now just begun--that of Generalissimo
Ofthe Union armies, or that of sscre-
tary of the Treasury, with it's endless
perspective of negotiating loan after
loan, to the extent of Two Billions of
Dollars, on the heel Of unexpected, ap-
palling national diSasteri"-and / feel
confident that nine-tenths would
promptly respond, However poorly
qualified for either or both Of these re-
sponsibilities, l would prefer undertak-
ing the Military rather than the Finan-
cial trust" And l affirm that no mans
services in putting down the Rebellion
were more essential, more important,
than those OF the man who devised and
gave effect to the measures whereby
our Federal Treasury was keptin work
ing order.
". The main questain question to
be decided in our approaching Presi-
dental contest is smphstically one Of
Principle. 1t concerns the fundament-
al basis of democratic popular govern
msnt "Shall Four Millions of Ameri-
can People be permanently disfranchis-
ed, and denied any voice in their Gov.
ernment, because of their color3" Sham
Democracy says, ''YeS they are mig
gers!' Shut their mouths! Paralyze
their arms! Trample them under footF'
And every unchanged Rebel at the
South, every malignant Conperhsad at
the North, shouts, "Yss! Yes. Dis
franchise them! Stihe their voice! They
are 'niggers!' Give them over into the
power of those who hate them for their
lack of sympathy with the Slaveholders'
Rebellion!" They who thus feel will
vote AGAINST any man whom our side