The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1873-05-23
NEW S
SALMON P. CHASE.

SALMON P. CHASE.
When Chief Justice Salmon
Portland Chase died the other day
at New York, one of the brightes
and spurest stars in American his.
tory sank. He was born In Cornish
New Hampshire, January Is, 1903
At the age of twelve, having LOS
his father, he removed 20 Worthing
ton. Ohio. whore his edncation wa,
taken Ia hand by tie uncle, Bishor
Chase, Of the Episcopal Church
After the necessary preparation al
went Last and entered Dsrtmo uth
Colegc., whore he graduated IN
1876. = HIS Grst experience of life
. was as school teacher in Wash
ington, where he also studied law
under the direction of the learned
William Writ, and was admitted to
practice in 1929, In 1880 he turned
his face westward again and cast his
I lot AZ Cincinnati, where he opened
an Office and began the difficult ca
reer of fricndless young lawyer.
He soon gained a reputation as a
laberious and well read lawyer, and
in 1887, at the age of % years, won
considerable distinction by his de-
Tense of fugitive slave woman, in
which he took strong ground against
slavery, maintaining that it was q
purely local Institution and not re-
cog nized by the Constitution of the
United States. From this time he
became known as an anti-slaveiy
champion, and continued to labor
ia that cause with great zeal until
the system was oYerthrown. His
political affiliations were always de-
cided by the anti-slavery standard,
and though sometimes voting with
the Democrats and sometimes with
the Wings, he never cordially In
dorsed the policy of either party on
the slavery question. From 1S4l to
lS49 Mr.. Chase was actively engage
ed in the anti-slaYery movements of
the day, attending and presiding
over conventions and helping to
shape the sentiment of the country
on that question. In lS49 he was
elected United States Senator from
Ohio by the Democrats, aided by
Free Soil votes. Whom tho Demo-
cratic party at Baltimore, in 1852,
virtually Endorsed slavery Mr.. Chase
withdrew from the party and rang
ed himself among the prescribed
Abolitionists. No man was more
thoroughly hated by the minions of
the slave oligarchy that ruled the
country at that time, and by the
weak-backed Wings of his own
State. His election TO tho Senate
was complete surprise to himself
as well as others, and though charg-
ed at the time with having engaged
in some sort of corruption to gain
il, we believe nothing of the kind
was ever proven on him. During
the stirring times that preceded and
followed the passage of the Kansas
and Nebraska bill in 1854, he was
one of the recognized leaders of the
anti-slavery party and rendered no
bic service to the cause. In Octo-
Der, 1855, he was elacted Governor
of Ohio on an anti-slavery platform
and became identified with the Re-
publican movement, then just COM
ing up. lie was the leading man
that created the great revolution in
Ohio politics, just before this, and
to show what the feeling was we
may mention that old Wings who
would not listen to him speak in
the campaign OF 1852, in Ohio, de-
lighted to do him honor three years
after that. Ever afterwards he was
popular man with the Republicans
Of his State. His administration of |
affairs In Ohio were exceedingly
able, adding greatly to his fame,
and he was reelected to the posi-
ton. He was delegate to the
Peace Conference in 1860, and in
1861 was tendeIed by Mr.. Lincoln
the position of Secretary of the
Treasury. The history OF his finan-
cial measures would fill q volume.
He administered the Office with
great ability for four years, and on
the 30th of June, 1864, owing to
differences with the President rela-
tive to certain matters in his depart
ment, he resigned. A few months
later he was appointed by President
Lincoln Chief Justice of the Su-
preme Court in place of Tracy, de-
ceased, October II, 1864. Though
for many years previous to his APP
pointment to this high judicial po-
sition Mr.. Chase had not engaged
actively in the law, yet his great ac-
quirements and legal knowledge
were found amply sufficient for the
place, and IL will not be denied that
he has filed the place worthily and
well. In the past few years of his
life Mr.. Chase was afflicted with that
desire to be President which has
injured so many great men. He
cut himself aloof, to q great extent,
from his former political friends.
He came very near being nominal
ed by the Democrats, in New York,
in 1868. For this he was denounced
by many Republicans. Like Web
ster, his disposition seemed to be
soured by his failure to reach the
great desire of his heart. But Mr..
Chase built nobly, and his fame, his
firm devotion to principle, his great
work for the nation during its
struggle to master the rebellion, his
pure personal character, will shine
out in bright relief in the future
pages of American history, above
any mere political mistakes which
he msy haye made.
AROIIT RONDS. 800