Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-06-15
CHIEF JUSTICE CHASE.

CHIEF JUSTICE CHASE.
The Appeal seemingly indorses the as
sertion of the Courier-Journal, in speak
ing Of Mr. Chase, that:
Two parties claim him-the slow Re
publicans and the fast Democracy. Yet
each admits that his election by either
would destroy both If the Democrats
take him that is the practical abandon
ment of organized Democracy. Ii the
Republicans take him that is the destruc-
ton of organized Radicalism. His cleo
ton would really overthrow all parties
and organize new ones.
There may appear to the journal orig
mating this idea, and its indorser, a good
deal of force in it, but it will not bear
analysis. Properly explained and un-
derstood, Chase's record shows conclu-
sively that he never has belonged to any
but the Chase party Slow Republic
cans or fast Democrats may claim
him" but while he is ready to bargain
with either, which ever has the happiness
to shake hands over it, will discover that
the advantage inures to him, while twill
be left the bag to hold. AS near as can
be, while he is all things to all men, he is
selfish beyond parallel, bold, resolute and
willy in pushing forward his line, and
dangerous because his policy begins and
ends with his own advancement. When
he had but two political friends in the
Ohio Legislature, they holding the bal
ance of power, he contrived bargain
by which he was sent to the Senate OF
the United States, where by his ability
he geve quasi responsibility to Adolf
tionism. The price was the bestowal OF
all the other Offices subject to Legislative
action on the Democrats, in whose eyes
he cast dust by claiming TO be hard
money and States Rights man and free
trader When the Know Nothings were
in the ascendant in 0hio-an organiza-
ton absolutely without shadow even OF
political principles, save religious intol
erance and the spoils-Chase easily mads
bargain with them to unite with the
Abolition party for his benefit, he being
their nominee for Governor (although
they were sworn 10 support for office
none but their own ORDER, although dis
claiming to be one Of them, while the
X. Ms proper divided all the other
State offices among themselves The
consequence might have been foreseen.
The Know Nothings were soon aboi-
itionized, save few who, finding their
Order played out, went back or sub
sided into the Democratic party, These
latter had been from the first hostile to
any unconstitutional interference with
the status of the negro, the balefui con
sequences of which interference to them
seeming inevitable A more persistent
States rights man could not be found than
Chase when he was Governor of Ohio,
and the administration Of tho Govern.
ment Of the nation was in the hands OF
Democrats who insisted on the execution
ON the Compromise Measures Of 1850,
and especially Of the Fugitive Slave
law. 1t was during his term Of office,
some of the most notorious instances Of
effectively resisting the Law transpired,
and he threw every panoply in hispower
around those, for their protection, who
sought to. battle the efforts Of L. s. Off
GERS to enforce the law He certainly
calculated the possibility, IL not the prob
ability, OF collision between the stata Of
which he was Chief Executive and the
Federal Government, and assiduously
collected and caused 10 be repaired the
old, broken and scattered arms Of the
State, aud was careful TO draw, without
delay the annual quota Of arms, great
and small, to which the State was en-
titled. il not more, in view of the posi-
BILE contingency already suggested.
He was not much Of States Rights
or hard money man. when he BECAME
Secretary Of the Treasury, and inaugu-
rated the policy which opened the way
to the greatest swindling enormitiesi de
stroyed as far as could be the identity
and individuality of the SoutherR States
as part Of the great sisterbOod. aaC
flooding the country with irredeemabl'
paper created a debt which will bin'
theenergies Of this muni6cently-endoweC
nation until some period in the remote
future short Of which the most imagina
tive must pause. This is the man who
would be taken, according to the Courier
Journal and Appeal. by " fast Demo
Gratis" As their champion for the Presi
dency; and II 4 were true that hi
election would really overtbrOw all par
ties aud organ re new ones. he ought 4
be particularly acceptable to the Ava
Isnehe. West Tennessee Wing and oshei
disafected journals II Ike samp, whiel