The New York herald., 1868-06-19

Old Slavery Questi0ns-His Democrats
Record on che Subjects Of State Rights
and suffaso-His Speech at tho Buffalo
Denecratic Convention Of lS4S-Opposition
% Knew.Nsthinsism-Hk Course In tho
United dtates Senate.
CNcrSsNArT Jdne Is, 1858.
The proposed nomination of Chief Justice Chase as
Presidential candidate has created no little interest
concerning that portion Of his history when he took
part with the democrats In the good old days when
the project Of subtreasury and such comparatively
unimportant questions were the only distracting
questions that agtated the country. The republican
party has reason to be grateful to the democratic
party, for 1t was the latter which gave birth
TO II. Indeed, the anttslavery party for
time was known as the democratic repub-
lican party, and it was only when the
Southern democrats persisted in endeavoring to
make the perpetuati0n Of slavery part OF the demo-
cratic faith that the appelation altered to its
more modern form. Repubicanism was democracy
with the anti-slavery sentiment 1t would never
probably have been born Of whigism; for when the
party processing the latter doctrine had the oppor
tunity OF taking stand against slavery il went over
to the S0utherners body and soul In the nomination
OF Taylor and Fillmore In 1s48. The nomination of
Cass led to the nomination OF Van Buren, by the
democrats and to the formation of the republican
party; that with the entire abolition of slavery
and with "free soil" throughout the Union 1t Is
question whether there is any cause for difference
between the two great political parties Of the past
decade, and whether there is any consistency In the
continued secession OF those democrats who left the
party to join the republicans the slavery.
The connection Of Chief Justice Chase with this
eventful portion OF the history Of the democratic
party is narrated in the following outline Of his
career. many particulars OF which furnished by
his brother politicians of the time:-
CHIEF JUSTICE CHAsE's BOYHOoD AND YOUTH
Salmon Portland Chase was born in Cornish, N.
H., on the 18th OF January, 1sOs His family subse
quently moved to the town Of Keene, where his
father died. leaving him. at the age Of ten twelve
to the OF his uncle, the Rev. Philander Chase,
first Bishop of Ohio and predecessor of Bishop
McIlvaine His uncle invited him to Cincinnati.
Ohio, where, in the early and rugged days Of the
Episcopacy in the Northwest Territory, he acted at
the time principal Of the Lancasterian Institute.
Subsequently bishop and nephew removed to Worth
ington In the same State, where the latter pre-
pared for college. He entered the junior class at
Dartmouth in 1924 and graduated in 1928. At this
time his unce Dudley Chase, was United States Sena
tor from Vermont, and Mr.. Chase went to see him
about his plans for the future. The teacher OF a
classical school in the city OF Washington about
giving it up just az he arrived at the capital Sena
tor Chase succeeded in getting it for him. and
among his pupils were sons OF Mr.. Clay, General
Bernard and other distinguished men Of the
time Becoming acquainted with Mr. Writ,
then Attorney General under President John
quincy Adams he entered himself as student
In his law ofce, and after the requisite preliminary
studies was admitted to the bar in Washington,
being sworn in by Judge Cranch Chief Justice Of
the Circuit Court of the United States for the District
Of Columbia. Returning to Cincinnati in 1929 or
1880. he opened an Office and commenced practice.
Turning his attention to the study Of the statutes OF
Ohio, he found them in great confusion. He set him.
self to the task Of arranging and editing them, and
after years concluded hts labors in the form
of three volumes, the whole constituting work
whose accuracy makes It the standard book in every
lawyers office in the State. It's publication brought
him practice and fame, and in the subsequent prose
cutiOn Of his profession he had partners Edward
King Timothy Walker Daniel J. Caswell, Samuel
Ees, Flamen Ball and George Hoadley.
HIS FIRST VOTE
for President was cast in 1882 for william Writ his
| old patron and preceptor. At this time he not
committed very warmly to either OF the political
parties OF the day He voted for Mr.. Writ through
personal friendship and although in 1886 and 1910
he supported General Harrison, he was not an
av0wed whig. About this time he elected men,
ber OF the Cincinnati Common Council from the First
ward the whig ticket. In 1874, having materially
party. he voted for its nominee James g. Birney,
bringing down upon himself the great wrath OF the
whigs for so doing. At this time he become q more
active member of the democratic party, retaining
still his deep and mmOvable antipathy to slavery.
ASA DEMOCRAT
he took sides with the party in favor OF the Sub
Treasury. which. with ''hard money" ideas cOnsti-
tuted the important features OF democratic policy in
those days. Mr.. Chase has always been q "hard
money" man. but as Secretary OF the Treasury at
the beginning Of the rebellion he was compelled by
force OF crcumstancestO adopt the policy Of paper
currency. He only differed with the party on the
question Of extending slavery. He was opposed TO
the Introduction OF the system in the new Terrific
ries. lie was not urgently exacting for its abolition.
Hts opinions
"A STATE RIGHTS MAN
were that Congress had no right to interfere con-
cerning matter which belonged exclusively to the
Jurisdiction OF the States individually. Hence he
was opposed 10 the measures introduced in Congress
for the repeal OF the Missouri compromise, when the
Southern States not content with the existence OF
| the 'nstltution" as N was demanded It's sanction
the new Territories by special enactment thereby
| afrording another proof OF the fact that "whom
| the gods would destroy they first make mad"-not
that Mr. Chase not in favor OF abolition by the
gradual processes OF argument and higher refine
ment Of the moral feeling In the South He was
always abotionst but he believed that the states
were protected from Congressional abolition. He was
and s state rights man, but not to the extent OF
believing in the doctrine Of State sovereignty, which,
ike slavery. perished with the He believes that
the States have retained the rights which were not
surrendered TO the general In the forma-
ton of the Union. As Q member OF the Peace Con-
vention which assembled In February. 1891 to stay
the then impending war; he voted for the third reso-
| iution which declared that "neher the constitution
| nor any amendment thereof shall be construed to
give Congress power to regulate, abolish or control
within any State the relation established by the laws
thereof touching persons held to labor or involuntary
service" &c. Cist's Cincinnati in 1851" volume
OF local sketches, its name indicates says:-"As
lawyer Mr.. Chase is diligent, patient and accurate,
and as an advocate he takes rank among the first In
/ thu country In nolitica no a democrat and tf in