The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1868-09-05
MR.. GILMER'S LETTER TO THE
CHIEF IISIlIE

hIs joan IL hllmtE' u hoIl ~ HtHut Atfl p
politician, of Richmond, Va, who matters
himself that the welfare Of empires rests upon
his shoulders, and that he alone knows how
to guide our country into peaceful waters, has
written a letter to chief Justice Chase.
The letter is remarkable for nothing except
Its fulsome laudations and nauseatiBg nattery
OF the Chief Justice. II is the very quintes
sence of HuHkcyIsm, and su h rs the most con
summstc toady to power would be likely 10
get off.
The evident purpose OF Mr. GIlmet is-iT he
has any purpose AZ all except 10 play the syco-
phant-tO induce Mr.. Chase 10 vote for Mr..
seymour lie intimates to the Chief Justice
that inasmuch IS he MI. Chlscl WAS a candi-
date before the convent On aud failed to get
the nomination, very much to the regret uI
his friends, Of whom Mr. filmer IL one, II IL
now his duty, AS it is the duty Of the friends OF
the Chief Justice, to support the ticket. ln-
deJd, according to the Opiniol Of Mr.. GilmCr
the salvation OF the country depends upon the
election Of Seymour and Blair.
The letter was undoubtedly written with the
intent to influence Mr.. Chase and hts friends
to vote the Democratic ticket; hcucc It's ,n
comiastic plntitudcs.
In reading this letter our Thoughts were
naturally carried back 10 that early day Ia the
despised aholttonist, and when he and John
4 Hale and one or two Others were refused
places on the committees OF tho Senate because
they belonged to what men, who then belonged
to Mr.. Gilmer's school In politics, called an
tuuhealthy political organization"
Now the question 10 who has changed, MI.
Chase or Mr.. Gilmcr' There is Indeed u
change when we sec southern democratic poll.
tictans playing the ioddy to northern states
men and jurists, especially TO those nf abnli-
tion proclvities. II was not so once. These
mea Of the South used TO crsck the whipwhen
they wanted TO rule northern politicians 10
true plantation style. A change has certainly
come over the spirit Of the dream" Of these
southern men, aud good may come out Of all
this" We trust 1t will.
But there is one feature in this letter OF MT
titlmaus which demands some serious cOnsil.
Grafton. II Is the intimation that the Chief
Justice, In consequence of his high oirCiai
position, can help the South very much. Per
hlps he can-but how Does MIR. Gilmcr me All
to urge on the Chief Justice to declare the re-
construction acts OF Congress unconstiru.
tional' The drift and tone of his letter would
seem to intimate this indeed, the following
paragraph, stripped Of its pOmpOsity and nat
teriug laudltIon, distinctly means this. Mr..
Gilmer says:
ain you, my dear sir, feel assured that love
Of country, high sense OF duty3 indeed, all
those noble qualities Of head and heart which
endear you TO those who know you, and
which add dignity to your position, and render
enduring your patriotism by stole fnrtitudc
will now, in this dark period Of our history, AS
great people and country, be called into yet
higher and more efficient action, that through
yourself and friends, you may place the Amer
lean people and States under yet higher Uhli-
CATIONS to you. The Constitution has no
shield when ssssiled by faction, and sought to
be undermined by wicked combinations, but
that august body over which you preside W ith
so much wisdom, virtue, and dignity. To
that the people and states must look IS = rem
edial guarantee far more available than Pres-
DENTAL elections, In the present distracted
condition OF the country"
The Chief Justice has already. In m opinion
which he gave a few weeks since In West Viz
ginis, proclaimed the amendment to the Com
stitution to be valid and this anne ndment con
tsins very much Of what is vital In the recon-
struction policy Of Congress. But think OF
such appeals made to the Chief Justice OF the
United states.
This is one OF the last, and also one Of the
most impotent, rs well IA impuLent, appeals
OF the copperhead and rebel Democracy in be-
half Of the Seymour and Blair ticket. II wont
"