American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1873-05-17
Chief Justice Chase.

by Mr.. Lincoln TO fl the vaca ICY
oe:casiored by the death of Chief
Justice Roger B. fancy. will be re-
GREETED. and by none more than by
the Judiciary and bar of the country.
The loss will be the more keenly
felt, as it is minated that persons
not supposed to be more distinguish
ed for eminent legal attainments OF
the upright jurist, or for those rare
talents, and virtues which Chief
Justices Marshall and Taney-so
highly honOred and esteemed during
their ioug career. from 1901 to 1865,
uniformly displayed-than for quail
flies Of the partisan, will aspire.
aud one of them, it 10 feared, not
without success, to ill the most i'm
purtant position of Republican
government. Chief Justice Chase
WAS born in the year 1904, and at
the time of his death was much
younger than either Marshall CT
fancy, when they were called. re-
sprctively, by death, from the long
exercise Of judicial labor. for the
former was eighty, and the latter
about eighty eight years Of age
when the whole country was sum-
moned, as one vast eonconrsc. to
deplOre their loss.
In times like the present, when
corruption is seen asserting its
strength in high places, III caucus,
Congress and convention, it is OF
vital Importance that the judicial
system should be preseI we'd from the
influence of party tactics, that it
should be above the reach of evil
combinations. and beyond, far be-
yond the potcer Of money, or parti
san politics.
OF the three departments of Gov
eminent, the Judicial is expected TO
be the purest. A suspicion oppos-
ing this view is enough to destroy
its strength, power and influence
No government can survive a cor
rupt Judiciary, though it can sur
vive, aud often does, great evils in
other departments.
Whatever appointment may be
made to fill the recent vacancy on
the Supreme bench, it is TO be hoped
that the very best selection VIII be
regarded as tending in an eminent
degree to promote peace and har
mOny throughout the land
To the supreme tribunal of the
Government every citizen desires
to look with confidence for justice,
even though, indeed, it be not
d" tempered with mercy"
The late Chief Justice has occu-
pied many positions of trust and
For a great many years
be was connected with politics, was
to slavery, and though not
az early an opponent as Mr.. Gree
ley, nor as steadfast, he welded his
influence against that institution.
in 1S49 he was elected to the Unit
ell rates Senate, and again in 1857;
was OhiO's choice for President
vt the Republican convention at
Chicago III 1860; he was Governor
Of Ohio in 1855 he was chosen by
Ohio for the United States Senate
IN 1861, but was by Mr.. Lincoln ap-
pointed Secretary of the Treasury,
and assumed, without having taken
his seat in the Senate, the duties of
his appointment. His connection
with that position is known, as a
part of the history of tile period.
In 1866 he received his appointment
as Chief Justice of the Supreme
Court, which position he filed till
the time of his recent death. He
presided with dignity at the i'm
parchment trial of President John
son. and notwithstanding the eX-
which that trial produced
the whole country, the
party acrimOny it aroused, the in
dignatiOn it suggested, and which
gathered thick and fast about MIR.
johnson, yet, amidst the storm aud
the tempest, the Chief Justice stood
firm; he was at the helm, and the
most violent partisan could not fail
to perceive from the fairness of his
judicial rulings, during this impas-
stoned trial, so long continued, that
the dignifi5d presiding officer still
wore the jndical ermine of the SD
preme Court. Delicate as was the
position to which the Chief Justice |
was called, he did not disgrace it.
Against Mr. Johson great ability
not without Zsdl-w;ts arrayed, and !
against the Influence OF triumph !
ant party, in the flush Of victorious
acclaim, he had to contend. 1t was
, trying hour for the Chief J stice,
put his dignity never for ruomeat |
deserted him, and he proved him
lelf e0uu to the times. the uIacp