Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-05-20
THE PRESIDENCY.
An Interview with Chief Justice Chase
IF the People Elect Him lie Would
not Decline,


not Decline,
Correspondence of the Cincinnati Gazette.
WAsHINGTON, May 1.-THE city has
been alive for several DAYS with reports
concerning the movements for the forma-
ton of new party, with Chief Justice
Chase at It's head. The course of Fessen-
den, Trumbull and Henderson has been
generally referred to that movement. as in
fact controlled by the shape they expect it
to take. 1t can now be stated that none
of those Republican papers which have
taken the position that in the minds of
several prominent Senators, Wade stood
directly in the way of impeachment, have
over-estimated that difficulty, and his
prominence in connection with the future
of the party has united several of those
who do not like him in the new party
movement.
So far as known, the first positive decla-
ration Of the Chief Justice in the matter
was made on Tuesday of last week. to A
committee from Democratic organization
in Philadelphia. The committee consisted
of John Welsh, last Democratic candidate
against Judge Kelly, and Assessor Frazier
former Republican, who went into the
Philadelphia Convention, subsequently
swung around the circle with johnson. and
has since acted with the Democrats. They
arrived in the city Wednesday, and the
next day obtained an interview with Mr..
Chase, when Frazier said:
."Mr Chief Justice, we have called upon
you as members Of the Citizens Conserva-
tive Association Of Pennsylvania, of which
Ex-Governor Johnston is President, for the
purpose OF consulting you in reference to
the use Of your name as the peoples Con-
sentative candidate for the Presidency.
We believe, sir, that the mass of the
American people are now looking to You
as the man who is to lead us out of the
great difficulties we are now in. The
American people are now instinctivelv
turning to you that you may lead them to
peace and national prosperity. We believe
Mr.. Chief Justice, that, with You as the
standard bearer of all the people now in
opposition 10 the radically revolutionary
measures Of the Republican party, we can
sweep the country from ocean to ocean.
We hope, sir you will give this matter
your favorable consideration, and will soon
come to see that you can serve your cOun-
try much more efficiently "A President of
the United States than in the office you now
gill withsso much ability"
TO this the Chief Justice replied sub
stantialiy as follows:
Gentlemen, ! am personally grati6ed to
meet you and make your acquaintance; nor
am less gratified for the kind feelings you
express for me, but must frankly say TO
You my position AS Chief Justice of the
Supreme Court forbids my entering into
politics, and am thus debarred, very pro
perly 80, from mingling in the politics of
the day. But, Chief Justice as | am, feel
| am the servant of the people and should
they call me to preside for four years over
the destiny Of our country, / doubtless
would feel it my duty to comply. Under.
stand me, / am no candidate for the Office
an Office that at best is anything but agree
able, and one that at present is especially
yexatious and annoying ##[..
TO this the committee replied
But, Mr.. Chief Justice, although YOU
are not candidate for the Presidency. and
are, doubtless, averse to assuming so great
a responsibility, yet, sir, il the people turn
to YOU, rs they certainly will, as their de. |
liverer, do you not feel that it would be |
your duty TO help them? What we now |
want is peace and prosperity; a complete |
and permanent reconstruction Of the South |
for, until we have the South restored, we |
can have no peace until we have accom- |
pished a complete restoration Of The States |
Of the South the business interests Of the |
will continue disorganized, and |
financial ruin will sooner or later be our /
doom.
The Chief Justice replied briefly that he
was in the hands ofthe people Although
not desiring the Presidency, vet, il the
people called him to serve them in A
higher and more arduous sphere, he would
comply. He felt that perhaps
no man more deeply deplored the condi-
lion Of the country, and if there was any,
Thing he could do 10 restore confidence, 10
bring peace with all It's blessings. and
,aim the passions Of the people, that he
would freely do IT,
Tho committee, after an hours interview.
EFF, expressing themselves as very highly
pleased. They soon after called upon SEN
,tors Doolittle, Dixon, Morton and Others,
md consulted upon taking immediate steps
o consolidate the conservative elements Of
he country upon the Chief Justice for the
Presidency, "
In this connection il may be stated that
ome ten days sinee the Chief Justice sta
ed 10 a prominent Ohio politician and ex-