The Van Buren press., 1871-07-11
CHIEF JUSTICE CHASE.
His Views on the Democratic New De
parture."
Correspondence of the y. Y. Hcrald.l
CINCINSArl, June %, 1871.

He was received with proper hunors at
the railroad depot His rooms at the ho-
tel was constantly oyerrun with visitors,
and he always given an opportunity to
address the masses. The times have
changed Mr. Chase, with tue additional
honors OF chief justice upon him, comes
and goes, and nobody seems to take par
tcular notice Of him. The local news
papers announce his arrival in the city
column, just as they would the arrival
of a corn doctor or some travelling
montebank. As late as 1868 there was
such q thing in this State as Chase Re
publicans ;" but they have well nigh
ceased to exist, and now you can scarce.
" get man to confess that he ever was
a Chase Republican, y During his re
cent visit here the chief justice kept him
self very retired. After staying a few
days at the hotel, he accepted the hos
pitalities Of a rich, retired merchant few
miles from the city. Here he remained
in comparative secldsion, seeing only a
few old personal friends, and consulting
with Wash Mclean and some Of the
leaders Of the "new departure" move
mcnt.
Your correspondent, having known the
chief Justice in other and more prosper
Gus days, was favored with an interview
IL was just after breakfast, and | found
Mr. Chase reading the morning papers.
He ia 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 rs If they had been made formoth-
er man. His large, expressive eyes are
suukcn in his head, and, with his heavy,
shaggy eyebrows, he reminds You of
Daniel Webster in his ripper years. There
is q visible nervousness of manner about
the chief justice which makes you feel
anything but comfortable in his presence,
and yet when he talks he seems quito at
ease
GLOW is your health, Mr.. Chief JUS
tice ~ | asked, as we shook hands,
Pretty good" he replied, with an
effort at cheerfulness that is, better
than it has been After a few seconds
hesitation he said, 81 am 50 much in the
habit Of saying that my health is good
that | sometimes forget that | have been
an invalid, AMI am only just recovering
Slill | am much better than have been,
and | hope this summer to regain my
wonted strength" "
You are on your way to Michigan, d
| said, " for your health p
Yes; | am going to try some springs
there that have been recommended 10 mC
very highly. They are reported to pos
sess great efficacy"
Here the chief Justice fell into d sort oi
roycrlc. After ,taring at vacuity for &
few minutes he suddenly recolIectcd him
self and inquired what the news was,
The absorbing news here, - replied
seems to be the sudden and tragic death
of Vallandigham. "
" Yes, that was very sad indeed. Jdst
at this time, / think, it is unfortunate
Nallandigham was a man Of great ability
and Of undoubted courage. Even wher
| had occasion to differ with him polite
ally (Which, ! am free to say, | do not
lnowC | always admired his courage
| There arc few of our public men who
possess this quality in greater degree.
d" Do you think Nallandigham' deatl
will have any serious effect upon the 'ncv
depa~ture' movement, Of which he wa,
the author" :"
- No, sif, do not That is sure to g
on until it covers the whole country
don't remember any political moyemen
that has made 50 deep an depression up
on parties and upon the county, as INT
one which may be said to have been IN
augurated by Mr.. Nallandigham. Had
he lived it would naturally have giver
him great influence not only with the De
mocracy, but with the honest, thinking
men Of all parties; for this movement,
think. commends itself to the best mel
in the Republican party as well as tn,
Democratic.
Il have heard some Republicans, Mr.
Chief Justice, say that had Nallandighau
lived he would probably have come ovel
to the Republican organization. Wha
DO you think Of itj'
Oh, no, that's q great mistake. Al
the Republicans lie wanted would have
come over to him. There would hav,
been no occasion for him going to them
Mr.. Nallandigham fortunately discovered
what many Republicans had been look.
ing fora platform upon which the hon
est, patriotic men OF both parties could
come together After brief silence
the chief justice added thougptfuliy, II
is only q question OF time, "
"Then YOU think some of the Republi
cans will Join the new departure move
mcnti'
"Wcll, yes | think they will. 1t looks
to me like the nucleus Of a new party.
There are a great many people who are
dissatisfied with both parties, They are
anxious for different order Of things
The war is over and all the people want
peace, The Republican party, rat least
some Of its leaders, seem bent upon per.
pctuating the memories Of the war, and
thus keeping alive the feeling Of hatred
and scctionalism which engendered it.
This is destructive to the best interests
of both sections. Some of the Demo.
Gratis, on the other hand, refuse to accept
the results of the war; but don't believe
their numbers are formidable at all,
(" 1t seems jeff Davis, Alocll Stephens,
Bob ToombS and few men ofthat class
in the South gre unwilling to accept the
situation.
At first the chief justice maden reply
to this statement, but after while he
said.