The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-06-28
CHIEF JUSTICE CHASE.
His views on the Democratic "New
Departure"

From the New York Herald.l
CINCINNATI. June %, 1871.
Years ago when Salmon P. Chase
came to Cincinnati, his reception was OF
that character which is always given a
man whom the people recognize as a
leader. He was received with proper
honors at the railroad depot. His
rooms at the hotel were constantly
overrun with visitors, and he was
always given an opportunity to address
the masses. The times have changed.
Mr.. Chase, with the additional honors
of Chief Justice upon him, comes and
goes, and nobody seems to take partic-
ular notice of him. The local news
papers announce his arrival in the
city column, just as they wonld the
arrival of a corn doctor or some travel
ling mountebank. As late as 1868
there was such a thing in this State as
"Chase Republicans" but they have
well nigh ceased to exist, and now you
can scarcely get man to confess that
he ever was a "Chase Republican"
During his recent visit here the Chief
Justice kept himselfvery retired. After
staying a few days at the hotel he &C
cepted the Inequalities of a rich, retired
merchant a few miles from the city.
Here he remained in comparative Sc
clusiop, seeing only few personal
friends, and consulting with Wash.
Mclean and some of the leaders Of the
new departure" movement
Your correspondent, having known
the Chief Justice in other and more
prosperous days, was favored with an
interview. 1t was just after breakfast,
and | found Mr.. Chase reading the
morning papers. Heis greatly changed
in appearance. His figure is still tall,
erect and commanding, but he has
grown so thin that his clothes seem TO
hang loosely upon him. They look as
if they had been made for another man.
His large, expressive eyes arc sunken
in his head, and, with his heavy, shaggy
eyebrows he reminds you of Daniel
Webster in his ripper years. There is a
visible nervousness Of manner about the
Chief Justice which makes you feel
anything but comfortable in his pres
ence, and vet when he talks he seems
quite at ease.
How is your health, Mr.. Chief
Justice?" | said as we shook hands.
Pretty good he replied, with an
effort at cheerfulness; that is, better
than it has been" After few seconds
hesitation he said, 81 am so much in
the habit of saying that my health is
good that | sometimes forget that |
have been an invalid, and am only just
recovering. Still l am much better
than have been, and hope this sum-
mer to regain my wonted strength" .
You are on your way to Michigan,
! said, "for your health 2
Yes, ! am going to try some springs
there that have been recommended to
me very highly. They are reported to
possess great efficacy
Here the Chief Justice fell into a
sort of reverie. After staring at va
Guilty for few minutes, he suddenly
recollected himself and inquired what
the news was.
The absorbing news here | re-
Piled, seems to be the sudden and
tragic death of Vallandigham."
"Yes, that was very sad, indeed.
Just at this time. | think, It is unfortu-
nate. Vallandigham was man Of
great ability and Of undoubted courage.
Even when / had occasion to differ
with him politically (Which | am free
to say do not now, l always admired
his courage. There are few of our pub
lie men who possess this quality In a
greater degree"
do YOU think Vallandigham's death
will have any serious effect upon the
new departure movement, of which he
was the author !?
"No, sir, | do not. This is sure to
90 on until it covers the whole country.
/ don't remember any political move
ment that has made so deep an impress
sion upon parties and upon the country
as the one which may be said to have
been inaugurated by Mr.. Vallandig,
ham. Had he lived it would naturally
have given him great influence not only
with the Democracy, but with the hon
est, thinking men OF all parties; for
this movement think, commends itself
to the best men in the Republican party
as we'll as the Democratic.
al have heard some Republicans,
Mr.. Chief Justice, say that had Va!lan'
dicham lived he would probably have
come over to the Republican organiza-
ton. What do you think Of itY
"Oh, no, that's a great mistake: All
the Republicans he wanted would have
come over to him. There would have
been no occasion for him going to them.
Mr.. Vallandigham fortunately dis.
covered what many Republicans had
been looking fora platform upon
which the honest, patriotic men OF both
parties could come together. After a
brief silence the Chief Justice added
thoughtfully, ut is only question OF
time"
"Then you think some Of the Repub,
licans will join the new departure
movement? =.
"Well, yes; I think they will. 1t
looks to me like the nucleus of new
party. There are a great many people
who are dissatisfied with both parties.
They are anxious for a different order
of things The war is over and the
people want peace. The Republican
party, or at least some of its leaders,
seem bent upon perpetuating the mem
cries of the war and thus keeping alive
the feeling of hatred and sectarlanlsm
I:.L o,loro1 - This is destruc-