New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-11-21
LETTER FROM cHIKF JUSTICE CHASE.
ms VIEWS on POLITICAL AFFAIRS.

MS VIEWS or POLITICAL AFFAIRS.
The following letter was written in April last
by Chief Justice Chase 10 Hon. IT, W. Whlsrd, OF
Georga-bong drawn out by published lotor from Mr.
Hllliard declining TO DO candidate for Congress but
giving his view Of political affairs.
WASHINGTON. April "a. is6a
DEAR SIR some days since received FROM AN IN
known hand paper containing letter Of yours which
Nv aeanalrtaneo with you when we were both in Con
eress~yau In the House and In tho Senatc-was very
lght but slight as 10 wa- take occasion from It TO
wrlio you few lines. suggested by your letter .,
the earliest practicable restoration OF the states Of the
south 10 their proper relations to the other states Of we
Union adopt your own statement on the pooiem 70 De
worked out because with you In the opinion that
the Union since they became parties 70 the fsdsra no
eminent and that the failure To maintain their aSse
lions independence ia the conflict 81 arnssw which fol-
lowed. left them states still within tho Union"
Tho point on which probably differ from you f. this
Tue psSRs d aDr at the close II tho war vas not as
think, the Same people as that which existed IN them
In my Judgment tho refusal Of tho propretaryelass II
A. may be s called 10 recognize this Cac and It's legit
mate aud indeed logical consequences. aud the oonYo
lions % large mAJofiucs IN the states which adhered 20
the National Government IN respect 10 H. caused moa OF
the trouble 81 the last three years.
have not time To 20 at largo into this subject but
may lay briefly that emancipation came To be regnfdcd
by these mAlorueS military necessity that the faith
u tho nation pledged ny the proclamation OF eman-
session and enjoyment ~ the freedom Il conferred that
TO tins end tho amendment OF the Constitution prOhlplt
ing slavery throughout the United States proposed
aud rntined that becoming freeineh, the emanclpaed
people became necessarily citizens and that as citizens
they entitled 20 DO consulted In respect 10 Tepr
RAnlraton, AID TO the means OF self,pIoteotoa ny
suffrage. This very brief. but think perfectly
correct statement uf what be called for the sake OF
breyfy the Northern view OF this matter. IL would,
perhaps he correct 90 call the loyal view North
and south, using the word loyal as distinguishing tho
who support the National Government from the
masses who opposed II during the war.
Now the particular matter TO which wish 20 draw
your attention E whether policy and duty do not require
the cnss which have called proprietary, meaning there
by the educated and cultivated men OF the South
whether property holders MOTTO accept this Wow
uy and act upon 10.
possible 10 doubt that had this Wow been accept
ed and acted upon three after the surrender OK
lee and Johnson the Southern states would have been
richer to-day by hundreds Of millions than they aud
that long ago universal amnesty and the removal OF all
disabilities would have prepared tho hearts OF men on
both sides for real Union Can II bo matter Of question
that the coored voters finding In tho educated classes
and practical acts OF good WILL would have gladly given
those classes substantially their old lead I'm affairs,
directed now, however 10 Union and not 10 dsunlon Ia
the benefit Of ALL and not exclusively TO the benefit OF
classf
observe that you say that tho attempt 20 carry
the Government with the privilege OF universal suffrage
Incorporated OF its elements 10 full OF danger
Danger the condition OF all Governments; because no
government nsures wise and bencfcent admins
tratiOn But beg you 90 consider Is there not greater
danger without than with universal suragef You can
suffrage less than universal for the whites. and
will the attempt 70 discriminate excite such Jcalousoa
and feelng Will postpone To distant future VIVA!
seems essential namely the restoration or Rener9l
good will and bringing into lead of tho educated mon and
the property and securing tho beat ana nost
beneficial administration OF affairs for all elasaoa Take
universal suffrage aud universal amnesty ana all Will 10
we'll Can YOU my dear Sir, devote your hne powers TO
better work than complete restoration this basis
Very truly and respectfully, yours, 3. r. CHASb
Hon. HENRY W. HILI.ARD.