Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1871-08-30
Chief Justice Nicholson on the Political
Sitnatinn

Situation.
In the midst of his arduous duties on the
Supreme Bench, our Chief Justice Hnds
time to take part in the political discus
sions of the day.
He has q right to make known his views,
but if Republican in similar position
were to do so, he would be charged with
dragging the judicial ermine in the dirt"
As considerable inquiry has been made
for the letter, owing to the reference made
to it in Sundays CHRONICLE, we give it
in full.
1t was written to gentleman in West
Virginia who sent to Mr.. Nicholson copy
of the Parkersburgh platform. The letter
called from the Herald Nicholson's nomi-
nation for Vice President.
The letter is Us follows:
COLUMBIA, TENN, August 8, 1871.
DEAR SIR-I have examined with care
the printed copy of the platform on which
the friends of Chief Justice Chase propose
to present his name to the National Demo-
cratic Convention for nomination to the
Presidency. You are aware that since the
people of Tennessee called me to the posi-
ton which now occupy rs Chief Justice
of the State, 1 have deemed it my duty to
abstain from all political movements, and
to devote my whole time to my official
trust. The judgment, therefore, which |
shall express as to the Chase platform, and
its acceptability to the Southern Democra-
CIV. will rest much more upon my general
views as to the Southern character and
Southern sentiment than upon any knowl-
edge on these subjects acquired within the
last twelve months.
regard the principles and policy laid
down in the resolutions on which you ask
my opinion as eminently sound and ortho-
dox, and those only on the success of which
we can hope to prevent our Government
from becoming a confirmed central despot-
ism. Relying upon my knowledge of
Southern character and sentiment, / have
no doubt that the great body of the South
ern people would cordially support Chief
Justice Chase or any honest statesman
standing upon this platform.
! do not think that the Southern Demo-
Gratis have any decided preference as to the
persons to be nominated for President and
Vice President. They look to the conven-
ton for the selection of two honest states
man, with the adoption of Il sound Demo-
cratic platform, and on such ticket there
will be substantial unanimity. ! think /
can safely add that Chief Justice Chase, by
his firmness, independence and ability in
the discharge of his official duties, has Sc
cured the decided confidence of the South
ern Democracy.
But, if am not much. mistaken in the
Southern sentiment, it is the general inn
preston that the selection .of candidates
ought to be made by the Northern Demo-
Gratis, and that the Southern Democrats
would neithersuggest nor advocate any pre-
ferences for the nominations to be made.
This course is indicated as wise on the
part of the Southern Democrats because
of the conviction that there exists in the
Northern mind n jealous suspicion of
! Southern statesmen, which would render
! it imprudent in them to take any promi-
nent part in indicating or selecting candi-
| dates.
For the same reason / think the South
ern Democrats are prepared to acquiesce
generally in the nomination of both can
didates from the Northern States. Indeed,
it would not be easy to find in the South
ern States statesman fitted for either po-
| sition whose connection or sympathy with
| the late civil war would not cause his NOM
| ination to become a ground of weakness to
the ticket, l give it to you as my judg-
ment that the Southern Democrats in gen.
eral deem it their duty in the present state
of political affairs to await in silence the
action of their Northern friends, having
full confidence that they will adopt such a
platform and make such nominations as
will command the cordial support and CO.
| operation of the Southern Democracy.
Very respectfully,
N n