, 1873-05-09

leisure.
THF LATE CHIEF JUSTICE.
: Lincoln, Seward, Fessenden, Collamer, Stan
ton, Grimes, Bates, and now Chaae-conspicu-
ful period Of our hiatory-haye passed away.
Among them all there is mono, except Alr. Lin
coin, whom the country will remember longer or
more gratefully than the late Chief Justice. The
and Of Jay and Marshall on the Bench, he stood
among US as statesman Of the trnest type as
citizen OF the highest integrity, and a man OF
the broadest and most helpful humanity.
The late Chief Justice sought the truth for its
own sake, and, believing that truth WIS on tho
side Of the slaye, be made tho cause of tho slave
his own. Mr> Chase was never an Abolitionist
OF the type Of Garrison and Phillips. Ho re-
spectod tho law as he consciontiouBly interpreted
it, and ho demanded for tho slave escaping to
State where slavery was not recognized the
rights to which he was entitled under the law.
His prompt and vigorous refusal, at the Buffalo
Convention, to vote that the clanBes Of the Con-
Btitution respecting tho rendition OF fugitive
slaves we're null and void, and not to be oboyoa,
marked the distinction between the man gov
orned by Law and the one controlled by feeling.
Ho judged of the law as it was, and not as he
would like to have it; and he addressed him
self to the cultivation Of that public sentiment
which would change tho law rather than violateit.
By his e1ertions more than anything else, the
Democratic party Of Ohio was made for the time
being essentially an anti-slayery party, and, at
the meeting Of the Legislature in 1919, ho was
elected to tho Senate by the unanimou&to Of
the Democrats With few Free-Soil Wings. He
entered that body when the country was excited
orer the question 8f slavery in the territory
acquired from Mexico, and when the s]avehold-
ing States were represented by their ablest men.
It was attempted by the Southern Senators to
treat all anti-slavery Senators with contempt;
a. year before, even Mr. Calhoun lad declared
he would have no intercourse with any such
Senator. Alr. Clay's compromise measures
were before the Senate during that long ses-
sion, extending from December to September,
an active part in the proceedings. He WAS
man Of unusual dignity. Never extravagant in
language, never indu1ging in personalities or
indeeorum, he;oyercame the relentless hostility
of the Southern shareholders by the fairness
ind frankness Of his manner, by his ungues-
toned ability, and by the impressiveness of his
They learned to respect tho man
who WAS never craven, and who over maintained
his dignity. Four years later, ho passed through
q like struggle on the Kanaas-Nabraska bill,
and from these conflicts came forth recognized
by al parties as on1e Of the foremost statesmen
Of the country. Hitherto he had boon acting
with d comparatively small following. The
ACT, which was designed
to crush out anti-slayery agitation, had
tho : contrary effect. It carried the
Whig party to tho dust, and produced that
other party which In 1860 elected Mr. Lincoln
to the Presidency. The efforts Of Mr. Chase in
The cause Of human liberty were far more ef-
fectual than those Of the Abolitionists generally
lie addressed himself to the intelligence of the
country, maintained the necessity of conforming
Ill laws to tho Constitution, opposed violence,
and presented the causo Of justice in its strong
est Light and, when the Republican party was
it adopted substantially the doctrines
that A1r. Chase had presented in his argument
before the courts twenty-five years before.
Mr. Lincoln Was fortunate in the selection OF
1Ir. Chase for Secretary Of the Treasury. To
that Office he brought the benefit Of long study OF
political economy and strong convictions upon
Ill questions Of fiscal policy. Tho 1ssue OF
; paper currency was necessity; the issue
II bonds was q necessity but the making OF
sreonbacks legal tender was measure opposed
10 his judgment and to his convictions Of sound
policy and he nssented to it with reluctance.
hr. Chase however, will be remembered as Sec
:etary Of tho Treasury chiefly through the Ma
Eional- Banking System. It Was the grand euc-
;ess Of his administration. It replaced rhe State
banks and their general responsibility, with an
Uniform system, III which security previously !
vas given to all holders and deposit |
ors, equal value impaired to all circulating notes.
md ample protection Afforded against counter- !
letting. Atthe same time agents were secured for
financial MD in the necessities Of the Government
md our banking system placed upon RESPONSE
Die and permanent footing. To Mr. Chase the