The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1868-07-15
Mr.. Chief Justice Chase

1
the late impeachment trial. combined with his late
prominent mention in connection with the Presiden-
tial candidacy, prominence due entirely to the WIS
DOM iberaity and conservatism of his views upon ex
listing public questions, justify extended notice OF
bis past and present position.
By birth and education the distinguished Chief Jus
tice is eminenty endowed with the instincts habits
and capacities of gentleman. Tall, erect with
massive head and stately bearing his personal appear
ance is equally impressive and suggestive of power
/ Literally educated both in the East and West, he
graduated at Dartmouth College, New Hampshire, in
1926, opened classical school in Washington City,
having among his pupils children of Clay and Writ,
and while engaged in his duties as teacher was quail
fed for the bar under the direction OF Mr. Writ, and
admitted to practice in 1929 He rapidly in repu
tation and soon established lucrative practice He
was early engaged in several important fugitive slave
cases. and uniformly to quote the language OF his
party expressed hostility to the naturalization of
slavery both in his political movements and in his
efforts at the bar He voted sometimes with the DEM
ocrats but more frequently with the Wings nls41,
he united in call for convention of the opponents
of slavery and prepared its address, which was one OF
the earliest expostons of the political movement
against slavery In 1s45 he prepared the address OF
the Southern and Western Liberty convention, argu-
ing the necessity of political organisation unequivo
cally committed to the Standardization of slavery,
and the overthrow of the slave power" He was &C,
tive in other conventions having the same object IN
view. In 1s49 he was elected Senator from Ohio.
Upon the nomination of Pierce, in 1852, he withdrew
from the Democratic party, opposing the platform
which approved the compromise measures OF 1850.
In 1854 he opposed the Kansas Nebraska bill, and
stained his reputation by the preparation of secret
CIRCULAR signed by himself Sumner and Seward, and
others, which aroused violent excitement throughout
the country before the author Of the bill had an OPP
portunty to explain its character and provisions This
conduct was denounced by Mr. Douglas in speech OF
great nvective power, which extofted an apology
from Seward not, however, until after he had, as a
result Of the circular, and upon its recommendation
been burnt in eigy throughout the North, frequently
in hundred places in the same night.
/ In 1855 Mr.. Chase was elected Governor of Ohio.
In 1856 be was prominently mentioned candidate
/ for the Presidency before the National Republican
convention though his name was withdrawn at his
own request. He was reelected Governor in 1857.
Upon the election Of Mr. Lincoln he became Secretary
of the Treasury sustained all the measures of his ad-
minstration, and was appointed by him Chief Justice
of the United States.
His political opinions upon existing issues have been
widely promulgated authortativey, and no doubt with
his full consent before the meeting of the New York
convention. His friends have doubt sought the
nomination for him, but he himself has resorted to
unworthy unbecoming influences. We rejoice that
the Democracy have nominated distinguished states
man from their ranks, such course being in our
judgment necessary to the pepetuity of the Or
ganisation and principles of the party We would not
have been pleased to have seen Mr. Chase nominated
but are encouraged hope that the weight of his
influence will be exerted through his friends, in sup
port of our candidate. In his present exalted posi-
ton Mr. Chase has opportunity to achieve glori
GUS Immortality of fame unsurpassed by that of
Chief Justice Marshall by fulfilling the duties of an
upright judge. His recent indications and expressions
of opinion give abundant evidence that such is to be
his future history, and give ample assurance that
united and prosperous people may rejoice in having
him their Chief Justice These opinions of the
Chief Justice embrace nearly all the most important
topics of the day. and will receive such extended
tice and discussion in the throughout the
tire country, as to be worthy of reproduction They
first appeared we believe in the Washington CORE
spondence of the New York Herald, of June g. 1868,
! and are as follows:
The Chief Justice frankly admits that the Radical
party and himself differ widely in their views and
parties organised he is for the Democratic
party. He differs from them upon only one point
that of universal manhood suffrage. He is agreed with
them all other Of the great issues. Incidentally he
remarked that if he elected by that party
to the Presidency while he would certainly carry out
their policy faithfully, he would labor to make the
party one of permanent usefulness, upon the broad
ground of nationality and material progress.
In the opinion of the Chief Justice the deplorable
condition of the Southern States demands not only the
proper consideration of Congress- but also material
aid from the general Government The war has been
ended for three years and those States should be in
practical relations with the Government There is no
constitutional authority to hold them in subugation
and if there would be alike unwise and ust
He favored the enfranehsement of every white man
in the South and removing the political disabilities of
every man in in the nation He thinks freedom and
manhood suffrage should be an uRquestioned right
but he controverts the idea that any other power than
the States themselves can confer it, He holds that
the general Government has no control over the ques
ton and that the power rests in the States where alone
it should reside.
The Chief Justice would remove the political disa-
blities imposed upon the people of the South by the
fourteenth amendment. But as those States as now
organised will undoubtedly ratify it, he proposes a
general amnesty mode of reiefa and also as an act
which would tend towards the reconciliation of the
sections. Furthermore he regards this as absolutely
necessary, the provisions of that amendment ex-
cude thousands from Office both under the Govern
ment and the States, and this will lead compiled
lions which should be avoided.
Mr. Chase urges that the most liberal aid should be
extended to the South in improving their railroad sys
tenn and also their navigable rivers. He thinks aid
should be given to repair the evees the Mississippi
build wherever they required, even from
Cairo the Gulf. That the millions of acres of land
which would be reclaimed in the valley of the Misss
sipp by judcious evee system would quadruple the
producing powers of that section and add correspond
ingly to the wealth and prosperity of the country.
Mr.. Chase srenuousy urges the early to spe
Gle payments. He believes it could be done without
damage to any interests, and in comparatively short
period of time it would not matter whether the bonds
were paid in greenbacks gold, the public credit
would be re-estabished and greenbacks be worth par
value.
Mr.. Chase condemned in strong terms the trial of
citizens by military commissions in time of peace. He
regards it arrogant assumption of power most
dangerous the country and thinks it should be
tolerated The Chief Justice made reference what
ever to the McCade case but his opinion recorded
in the celebrated Milgan case admits of no doubts
to what they are.
Mr. Chase expressed the hope that if Mr.. johnson