Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1873-06-06
Letter of Judge Chase in 1868.

| Ol ~ NhsA,t ~ hOVCs
The following letter of Chief Justice
Chase, written in the fall of 1868, and
during the presidential campaign of
that year when Grant and Seymour were
the opposing candidates for the presi'
denoy, is printed for the first time in the
Detroit Tribune. 1t is the fullest state
ment he has himself made of his politi-
cal position since he was appointed chief
Justice, and of his views with regard to
the great political parties then and now
opposed to each other which has ever
been published. The letter was a per-
sonal and private one, but the death Of
its writer removes the objection to max
ing it public, and its publication now
may serve to explain the later political
course of Mr.. Chase, and to relieve him
in some degree from the censure which
his former political associates have
passed upon HIM
WASHINGTON, Oct IA, 1868.
M Dear Sir II was in New England
when your letter of the 18th was written,
and it did not reach me until some time
after its date.
/ did not answer it at the time, be-
cause | did not suppose a reply would
do any good. Events have separated
me from both political parties, and re-
mitted me to the position which | occu-
pied when in the senate-that of
" democrat, by the grace of God free and
independent" The principles / held
then are mine now, and | have done no
act, uttered no word, entertained no
thought, inconsistent with them. Years
before that time | had declared myself
in favor of universal suffrage and of
the rights of men without distinction
of race or color. But recently, not be-
ing able to see the path of duty exactly
where others saw it for me, | was sub
jected to a systematic misrepresentation,
such as in the worst times | had never
before experienced Ny position de-
prived me of the privilege of self.de-
fence, even had | been disposed to avail
myself of it; but l felt no such disposi-
ton. preferred to accept political in
dependence.
l do not like the political tendencies
of the republican party. On only one
point do / now find myself in full agree
ment with it, and that is in the rightful-
ness and necessity of the reconstruction
of the Southern State governments, by
the whole people of the several States.
without distinction Of race or color, I'M
der the legislation of Congress. On this
point my dissent from the New York
platform is radical: and as this point
was made by the Brodhead letter, and
the nomination of its author, the control
ing issue of the campaign, it became
impossible for me to vote for the New
York ticket. | have never doubted that,
upon this issue, almost the whole body
of republicans, dissatisfied like myself
with the tendencies of the party, would,
Notwithstanding their dissatisfaction,
vote for General Grant on his own plat
form: Let us have peace" l have
not, how ever, thought it my duty, under
all the circumstances which surround
me, to do so myself | think that in my
present position, independent Of parties,
I can do no more for the cause of equal
and exact justice for all men than |
could in that of partisan of either side.
| believe that my countrymen will
yet do me justice in their thought but
| shall be contented if they do not. l
look for nothing in the future, political
ly. ] wish for nothing except grace to
enable me to do my duty while l live,
and pardon and peace when 1 die. Sin
cerely yours,
S. P. CHASE.
| w N HuDsON. Esq