Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-08-27
JUDGE NICEEOLsON,S LETTER,

A meeting was recently held in West
Virginia by the friends of Chief Justice
Chase of the United States Court, which
adopted platform upon which they pro-
pose to present Judge Chase TO the Ma
tional Democratic Convention for nolai>
nation as the candidate of the Democracy
for the Presidency. A copy of the pro
ceadings of that meeting was forwarded
to Chief Justice Nicholson of cur Sd
preme Bench, and his views thereon re-
qucsted. The following is Judge Nichol-
sons reply:
COLUMBIA, Tenn, Aug. 6, 187l-M.
c. G. CHURCH, L q-DEAR SIR: have
examined with care the printed copy of
the platform on which tie friends Of
Chief Justice Chase proposes 10 present
bis name 10 the National Democratic
Convention for nomination to the PTesi-
denCy. You are aware that since the
people OF Tennessee called me to the po-
sitiOn which | now occupy as Chief
Justice OF the 5 ate, | have deemed it
my duty 20 abstain from sll political
movements and 70 devo lay whole time
to my official trust. The judgment, there
fore, which l shall express as 20 the Chase
platform and lis acceptabiii'y TO The
Southern Democracy will rest much more
upon my general views as 10 the South
ern character and Southern sentiment
than upon any knowledge on these sub
iects acquired within the last twelve
months.
regard the principles and policy laid
down in the resolutions on which you ask
my opinion SIS eminently sound and Ortho-
dOX, and those only on the SUCCESS Of
which we can hope to prevent our gov
eminent from becoming a confirmed cen
trail despoiism. Relying upon my kn0wl-
edge of Southern character and ST ntimeut
have no doubt that the great body of
the Southern people would cordially sup
port Chief Justice Chase or any honest
statesman standing upon his platform.
do not think that the Southern Demo-
Gratis have any decided preference as to
the parsons to be nominated for President
and Vice President. They look to the
convention for the selection of two hon
est statesmen, with the adoption Of
sound Democratic platform, and on such
ticket there will be q substantial una
nimity. l think | can safely add that
Chief Justice Chase, by mis- fiImness, in>
dependence and ability in the discharge
of his judicial duties, has secured the &c
Cided confidence Of the Southern Dem0c-
racy.
But, If Sm not much mistaken IN the
Southern sentiment, it is the general I'M
preston thai the selection of candidates
ought to be made by the Northern Demo
Gratis, and that the Southern Democrats
would neither suggest nor advocate any
preferences for the nominations 10 be
made. This course is indicated as wise
on the part of the Southern Democrats.
because of The conviction that there ex-
lists in the Northern mind a Jealous sus-
piCiOn of Southern statesmen, which
would render it impIudent in them to
take any prominentpart in indicating or
selecting candidates.
For the came reason | think the Slu'h-
eTn Democrats are prepared 80 aCQUiesce
generally in the nomination OF b til can
didates from the Northern States. In
deed, il would not be easy 30 fad in the
Southern Safes a statesman fitted Tor
either position whose connection or SYM
patty with the late civil war would not
cause his nomination 10 become s ground
of weakness % the ticket. | give il to
you as my judgment that the Southern
Demo Gratis in general deem it their duty
in the present state If political affairs to
await in silence the action of their North
ern friends, having fu conf ience that
they will adopt sucl ! platform and make
such nominations as will command the
cordial support ana co oD ration OF the
Southern Democracy. Very respect
fully, 4. Q. p. NICHOLS ~