New-York tribune., 1868-04-25
MR.. CHASE AND THE INDEPENDENT.

| From an Occasional Correspondent
| WASHINGTON. April IS. 1863
| Mr.. Theodore Tilton, Editor of The Independent,
recently had an interview with Mr.. Chase. He re-
turned home and converted the interview into an
editorial article Not content with simple defiance
of good taste he takes the opportunity TO further
sgnalize his ofense by making IL the occasion of
formal and pretentious withdrawal of his vote and
influence from Mr.. Chase candidate for the
Presidency. Something has fallen in the course Of
the interview which leads our friend not to disrust
his own infabty but to conclude that the
Chief-Justice does not come up TO the "able
editors" standard, and that there is thus nothing
left for Mr.. Chase but to be hustled out of the Re-
publican party. No event of the same magnitude
has occurred since John p Robinson said he should
not vote for Governor B."
But it is not only the method taken TO obtain the
material for this assault Mr. Chase it is not
only the arrogance manifested by The Independent
in assuming that it is its peculiar province and
function to set up and to set down the statesmen OF
the Republican party-that We condemn; it is some
thing offensive still. IL is its innuendOs
1t is it's could an if would:" its intimations of
some profound discovery, some shameless detection
on the part of a public man in whom it has hitherto
placed unlimited confidence, which, it says, it feels
honorably" bound to tell its readers it now with
draws altogether. Yes, honorably.' Then there is
dshonOr somewhere, or there would be dishonOr in
cOncedng something that has come TO the editors
knowledge about the subject of its discourse.
Now we hold there can be nothing worse than this
in the treatment of public man, whoever he may
be. We protest against this damning with faint
praise this not fearing to wound, but being afraid
to strike not only IN Mr. Chases case whose position
forbds his public exposition of his political views,
but in behalf of fair dealing and honorable conduct
everywhere. We object to it as we object TO the
stiletto any other form of assassination. And
whether the that undertakes the crime be strong
or weak, successful or unsuccessful. the deed is
equally culpable..
Let us tear off the vail from this great mystery J
thus paraded in the columns of The IndpendcRt II
is proper TO do So if for 10 other purpose than 10
reassure some honest persons that there is such
thing as conviction and integrity among public men.
notwithstanding the dramatic insinuations of Mr.
Tton. Let us see what ground there is for the insult
ing suggestions of The Independent, that the political
opinions of Mr.. Chase need to he hidden from sight
lest the change they have recently undergone should
shock everybody, as Mr. Titon more than intimates
that change has shocked him. There is no need Of
any dsguses on this subject Mr.. Chase is an out 4
spoken man. and everybody may know hIs opinions
on all questions of purely public character. .tf
Ever since the trial of the President began. the an
has been full of rumors and reports "a 10 the attitude
of the ChiefJustlce that subject of ms relations
to the trial, of his functions and duties rs presiding
officer This discussion was promoted, perhaps tos
great extent originated, by frank exposition OF
some of his views in letter written 70 tue Senate.
Whatever else there was no reserves no disgulses,
and no changes of opinion have been discovered IN
that letter. We believe that the vast bubble blown
up by that poiutess and supertaOus discussion las
been now pricked, and that all that is left of the
mountain of fog in which the whole was enyeoped.
is the satisfactory explanation that the ChefJusice
held that he was entitled TO take the place of the
presiding officer of the Senate. and exercise the .
precise duties of that officer neither more nor less
Following this and growing out of il, was the KIM
dred report that the Chief1Jnstiee was coQnetnne
with the Presidents party and the Democrats foi
the Presidential nomination Of the Opposition, the
for which was 10 be imaginary
possible service to be rendered In the progress of the
Impeachment trial. but how, or when, or where. in
view of Mr. Chases own declared views Of his fnnel
tions as we have above described them, it was and
is impossible 20 conjecture and nobody has ever yet
an explanation. And now that the trial
is over with the exception of the argument Of coun
sell we may the more clearly the utter emptiness
and absurdty Of this report and the charges on infer
ences growing odt of it. = - . ,,a ~. .f..zls 80
Let us test Mr.. Chase's position further. " =
The war has, for the moment simplifed the attiN
in munh. Ag Ia