The New York herald., 1868-05-11
POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.
vindicntion of Chief Justice Chase Against
Radical AspcrsOns.

NICHoLASv1LLE, KY, April 80, 1868.
To THE EDITOR OF THE KENTUCKY STATESMAN
In your issue OF the 18th perceive an editorial re-
ferTng to the position OF Chief Justice Chase. Its
tone and anmus are so utterly at variance with the
views have heard you express concerning him, and
you SO evidently under misapprehension Cf the
truth, that take the liberty to correct you. For
long time the Chief Justice has done the honor to
consider me not only political but q personal
friend, and having just returned from Washington,
where remained several weeks and where had
frequent interviews with him, am able to indicate
his position with as positive certainty a distinct
recollection OF our several conversations will enable
me to do.
Ny last interview with him was at his residence,
on the night of the iith OF the present month. and
very soon after Mr. Tiltons articie-upon which
your editorial Is based-made its appearance. Very
soon aiter entered the room the Cniei justice asked
me if had seen the article To an affirmative
answer he replied:-"Mr. TilGon has done me great
injustice. He came to my house under the garb OF
friendship, and 1 talked freely TO him. told hun
what have often told you--that must be an upright
judge, and my judicial duties prevent my being as
available candidate Of the republican party as
other In its ranks. This is all said to him, and
his additional statements were unauthorized by me.
They may have been honest conclusions but gave no
grounds for them" After some further conversation
the same evening he remarked 81 am thorough
radical, but am no extremist" The Chief Justice
has been no Presidential aspiIant and has not sought
TO have any invidlous distinctions drawn between
his own Claims and those OF any one else. lie told
present positions that he could wc see how Presi-
deDt with Congress in harmony with him could
accomplish great deal of good for his country, but
10 Was position OF many hardships and trying
laoors that he did not regret the course afairy
were taking; he regarded the reconstruction OF
the, Southern States on the basis OF universal
suffrage as OF vital necessity to the cause Of
liberty and the Union, and that result could be
accomplished under General Grant probably better
than under himsel.n The Chief Justice holds firmly
10 three great cardinal ideas-"Universal suffrage
universal amnesty and the maintenance OF the pubic
credit" lie regards the first aS necessary power
to be welded By the blacks for their protection
against the pro-slavery element Of the country, and
the second as necessary to heal the wounds Of our
late war and secure the requisite amount of intelli
gence and education III the governments OF the late
rebel States. on the matter of finance he has but
one opnion-that Is an immediate resumption OF
specie pay aymcnts, saying "If | had control OF
the government l would resume. specie pay
menis tomorrow. l could do II successfully,
for our credit is unlimited. Individuals could not
long anorI TO keep their gold idle or in an unpro-
ductlye form. Under my policy they could loan it
power would be no grcater.r
have here hastily thrown together the substance
OF several conversations, and you now have a cor
rect idea OF how little occasion The Chief Justice has
given for the unjust detractons Of which he has
cease. No man living Is more devoted than he to
the great principles Of the republican party, and IL
be happens to differ on matter OF judgment or
p9hc5 "tl soilc OF our extreme incn presume ii
Is dS rlht. 30 far fFOm beng cojb.ooded
ANA selfish, as You assert, he IS the most
devoted pGbnc man ever saw to those
are his personal friends ANA in turn they cling
10 hlm and follow his fortunes with teuaclty not
often witnessed IN political life. Always genial and
cheerful, with PLAIN. unassuming manners, and noble,
digniIed bearing, he has every element Of a great
statesman. In inteect and experience the peer OF
any man America ever produce, II would be happy
day for our country could he he selected to rule over
It's destnes but If another than he is the choice of
the Chicago Convention, his supporters everywhere
VIII give To the nominee their most cordial and
hearty support.
ought to say this letter Is written without author
lty or permission from the Chief Justice; but in his
paper oriciss, and II Is the duty OF his friends TO
do 50 Tor him. Very truly yours, W. BROWN.