Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1871-09-09
Judge NishoIson.. Let.er


a meeting was recently held in
West Virginia by the friend of Chief
Justice Chase of the United States
Court, which adopted a platform
upon which they propose to present
Judge Chase to the National Demo-
cratic Convention for nomination as
the candidate of the Democracy for
the Presidency. n copy of the pro-
ceedings of that meeting was for
warded to Chief Justice Nicholson
of our Supreme Bench, and his
views thereon requested. The fol-
lowing is Judge Nicholson's reply f:
Union and american.
COLUMBIA, Tenn, Aug. 6, 1871
NJ. G. G. CHURCH, Esq-DEAR SIR:
have examined with care the prin-
ted copy of the platform on which
the friends of Chief Justice Chase
propose to present his name to the
National Democratic Convention
for nomination to the Presidency.
You are aware that since the people
of Tennessee called me to the posi-
tiOn which now occupy as Chief
Justice of the State, L have deemed
il my duty to abstain from all polit-
ical movements and to devote my
whole time to my official trust. The
Judgment, therefore, which l shall
express as to the Chase platform
and its acceptabilityt to the South
ern Democracy will rest much more
upon my general views as to the
Southern character and Southern
sentiment than upon any knowledge
on these subjects acquired within
the last twelve months.
1 regard the principles and policy
laid down in the resolution on which
YOU ask my opinion as eminently
sound. and orthodox, and those only,
on the success ofwhich, wecan hope
| to prevent our government from be-
coming a confirmed central despo-
tism. Relying upon my knowledge
of Southern character and sentiment
| have no doubt that the great body
| of the Southern people would cor
daily support Chief Justice Chase
or any honest statesman standing
upon this platform.
| do not think that the Southern
Democrats have any decided prefer
ence as to the persons TO be nominal
ted for President and Vice Presi-
dent. They look to the convention
/ for the selection of two honest
statesmen, with the adoption of a
sound Democratic platform, and on
such ticket there viii be n SUBJ
/ stantial unanimity. l think | can
| safely add that Chief Justice Chase,
10y his tirmness, independence and
ability in the discharge of his judi
| cal duties, has secured the decided
/ confidence. of the Southern Democ.
racy.
But, if / am not much mistaken in
| the Southern sentiment, it is the
general impression that the selec
ton of candidates ought to be made
bv the Northern Democrats, and
that the Southern Democrats would
neither suggest nor advocate any
preferences for the nominations tC
be made. This course is indicated
As wise on the part of the Southern
Democrats, because of the-convic
ton that there exists in the north
ern mind 4 jealous suspicion o.
Southern statesmen, which would
! IL III "a III lllEul ~ l4ht
any prominent part in indicating ol
4 selecting candidates.
For the same reason l think the
Southern Democrats are prepared
/ to acquiesce generally in the nomi
nation of both candidates from tn,
Northern States. Indeed, il WoulC
not be easy to find in the Southern
States q statesman fitted for eithel
position whose Connection or sympa
thy with the late civil war woulC
not cause his nomination to becOmt
q ground of weakness to the ticket
| give it to you as my judgmen
that the Southern Democrats il
general deem it their duty in tn
present state of political affairs t.
await in silence the action of thei
Northern friends, having full conf
dence that they will adopt such
platform and make such nomina
tioIss as will command the cordia
support and co operation of tn
Southern Democracy. Very res
pectfully, y. o. 2. NICHOLSON.
The most delicate, the most sen