The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-04-30
MIR. Chase's Position.

At last we have reliable exposition of
Mr.. CHAsE's views. Mr.. HALsTEAD, editor
of the Cincinnati Commercial, which is sup
posed to speak for the Chief Justice if any
paper does, recently visited Washington,
and while there wrote for his journal let
ter, from which we take the following para
graph:
"That Mr.. Chase is not in thorough ac-
cord with the Republican party or organiza-
ton as it is now conducted has been very
positively stated, and it is true. In the
first place, he is not an tnepeacher, and that
is now the highest test of partisan fidelity.
Then he believes in the doctrine of uni
versal amnesty and impartial suffrage,
and that that is the true and sure
and safe basis of reconstruction. He
is then of opinion that there should
be an end of restrictive legislation
and military rule in the South. He be-
lieves, too, that the southern masters are
making lamentable mistake in declining
political fellowship with the freedmen that
the most certain and speedy exit from
their troubles would be found in wisely
conciliating the blacks and making them, as
they might be made, the faithful friends Of
the South, which needs but kindly relations
between the races and the return Of peace
full industry to stand up redeemed and re-
generated. I presume that if such miracle
should occur as that Mr.. Chase were nomi-
mated by the Republicans at Chicago, or the
Democrats at New York, for the Presidency,
upon platform that was in his judgment a
declaration of sound principles, he would
not decline the nomination
These are remarkable revelations. First,
it is stated without qualification or explana-
ton, but positively and emphatically, that
Mr.. CHASE is "1aot an impeacher."s There
are no apologies made for his want of
fidelity to his party upon this question. It
is a bold statement that he is not an inn
peacher." We hardly know how to account
for this candor on the part of the Chief
Justice. He must know that the President
will be convicted, and by his own party,
and yet he does not hesitate to declare that
he is opposed to such a step. If we could
believe that there are, ten honest Republi-
cans in the Senate we should base upon
this declaration Of MIR. CLASSES organ q hope
that the President may yet escape conyic-
ton. 1t is but just that we should here
reproduce what Mr.. HALsTEAD says as to
the authoritativeness OF his revelations.
We quote: '. ,'. Il, ,.... . ~.
Perhaps ought to add--and will do
it, at any rate-that this is not an author
lied statement concerning Mr.. Chase that
it was not suggested, and is not, in the
least, anticipated by him"
This guarded disclaimer was not intend
ed TO imply that there is any doubt as to
whether Mr.. CHAsE's opinions are correctly
stated, but merely to prevent the impress
sion that MIR. CHASE authorized their publ
cation. Mr.. HALsrEAD, in other words,
had seen and conversed with Mr.. CHASE,
and found out how he stood affected towards
the impeachment trial and he thereupon
wrote letter giving the public the benefit
OF his knowledge thus gained; but Mr..
CHASE ASH did not authorize him to make pub
lie his views, and Air. iHAlsrEAD did not
tell the Chief Justice that he intended to
do SO. Nevertheless, as Mr.. CHAsE; knew
WHOM he was talking to, is-is nat likely
inst he was either greatly surprissag Or
mortified when he saw Mr.. HALsTEAp's it,
term print. s-z sqii ) &
Secondly, mir. Chase believes in :. univer-
sal amnesty and impartial suffrage as the
true and sure and safe basis Of reconstruc-
tion.o Let the reader note how carefully
snas declaration is Worded. g Universal
amnesty That includes even Mr.. DAVIS.
~ exceptions are made. Every :. rebel,'
mo ~ % restored 70 his rights and privileges.
e'' ~ good beginning FOR . political creed.