Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-05-15


success, and its results have raised for
him monument more enduring than
brass or stone. His words-the only al
teration or addition that President Lin
coin would make thereto-in the clos
ing sentence of the Proclama-
ton of Emancipation show his
reverent and confiding faith
in his God as well as his abiding trust in
the justice of our cause: "And upon
this act, sincerely believed to be an act
of justice, warranted by the Constitu-
ton, invoke the considerate judgment
of mankind and the gracious favor of
Almighty God" Let US quote, in this
connection, another sentence, being the
closing words of private note to Secre-
tary Stanton: Zone poor man, colored
though he be, with God on his side, is
stronger against us than the hosts of the
rebellion" These utterances afford a
keynote to his whole successful career.
Integrity, ability, faith in God, equal
and exact justice to all, be he high or
low, rich or poor, and keen sympathy
with and active relief of suffering, down
trodden humanity. There is only one
shade to the character of a perfect man
and statesman-if even shade it can be
Called-to be found in his whole career.
| We refer to that disease which has af-
flicted and proved fatal to so many of
! our public men-aspiratiOn to and desire
/ for the presidency. 1t may be, and per-
/ haps is, a noble ambition. Few men
| like Seward, however, can conquer and
rise superior to it. 1t FASTENED the death
of Webster, of Greeley and others, and
we fear that the death of Judge Chase,
at only the age of sixty years, may
be attributed in great degree, to dis
appointment in this aspiration and am
bitiOn. We have referred to this sub
iect here, because the first marked pub
lie indication of it occurred when he re-
signed his Cabinet position, in the midst
of an important financial crisis, in June,
1864. on the publication of a secret cir
cular urging his claims in opposition to
the denomination of President Lincoln.
1t caused, however no alteration IN the
anpreciation in which he had always
been held by the President. and i'll De
cember of that year, after his own re-
election-the death of Judge fancy Gre
ating a vacancy--he appointed Mr.. Chase
Chief Justice of the United States, the
most exalted position that the honorable
ambition of an eminent lawyer or Jurlst
can aspire to In reference to his judi
cial career. it is enough to say that II
was honorable to himself, creditable tc
, the country, and that the opinions lie.
livercd by him dieclose unremitting
r study. thorough and intelligent knowl-
edge of constitutional, statutory
and common-and the most perfect in
: tegritv and fairness. He did not, how
ever. cease from his aspirations for the
presidency, but sought the nomination
therefor IN 1868. Since his defeat, n
that time. his health has been shattered
. although his mind retained, to grea
! degree, it's original vigor and power
His apnearance on tho bench Of the Su
nrp,rr Court and in the several circuit
has b en- interrupted on account OF hi
health, but up to the day prior to h
death he was belle ed to hc graduIi,.
i regaiuiug his health. and had ronoone@
all political ambition. With the eNcel
tion Of this slight fault-to which ever
~ great statesman is more or less expose
l. r ,,,os o. we have said pCrfeC
D. man. so far as poor fallible human ns
= ture can be perfect. The country wi
r mourn him as a pure, eminent state
If man. an able financier, for the times,
+ sound aud upright jurist and an hone'
n
man.