The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1873-05-13
MioOIeburp Atoistrr.
TUESDAY. MAY 10,
ChiefJnsiicc Chase.

Hen Salmon T. Chase, Chief Justice
Of the United States Supreme rcurt.
whose death occurred at be residence OF
his friends in New York city last Tues
day morning.. was born at Cornish, n. H..
January 10. lS0S Having received a
preparatory education from his uncle,
Bishop Chase, one of whose family he
became at his fathers death, he entered
Dartmouth College and graduated three
years after.
He afterwards taught school in WASH
ington, and studied law in the Office OF
William Writ, after which, in 1880, he
went to Cincinnati where he at once took
prominent position as AN opponent oil
slavery. lie was tireess in his labors
ia behalf Of the slaves, and his name was
associated with those Of Garrison, Gree
Icy, Giddings and the other leaders in
TIE anti-slaycry reform.
In 1910 he aided in the election oil
William Henry Harrison, and was one Of
the formers Of the Liberty Party sup.
porting James q. Birncy four year.
later.
In 1915 he prepared au elaborate ad
dress on Slavery, in which he urged it,
standardization lie took prominent
part in the Buffalo (Liberty Party Con
vention Of 1918, and did more than any
ono man to effect the nomination Of Mar
tin Van Buren,.
lie was chosen Senator from Ohio il
1919, by the Democrats and Free-Soil
crs, but abandoned the former party OF
its nomination of Pierce, in 1852. ii,
opposed the compromise and the Kansa!
Nebraska bills with all his might, anC
offered an amendment leaving it to thC
people Of the territories to decide wheth
cr slavery should exist there.
In 1855 he was chosen Governor o
Ohio and 1856 supported Fremont fol
President against Buchanan. lie was {
mcmber Of the Peace Conference of 1861
having been also a prominent candidate
for the Republican Presidential nomina
ton. On Mr. Lincoln's accession to thu
Presidency Mr.. Chase was appointed
Secretary Of the Treasury.
With regard to some Of his public act
upon which there is difference Of opinion
the following fom the Boston Nec
seems to be very fair statement.
He instituted the system Of green
backs" aud though his policy has beer
harshly criticised, it is difficult to see
how he could have done better, under al
circumstances After three years ser
viro he succeeded Chief Justice Tunel
on the SJpIomc Bcnch, whore HE impair
tial and learned decisions won for hin
the respect of all classes without regarC
to partisan prejudice Outside Of hi
purely legal duties his course Of lat,
years in political aiIlirs has been very
annoying to his friends and associates
although his utilization with the Demo
cratic party was only the result Of ;
strong ambition and desire for Prcsiden
tial honora. which very naturally aud cx
cusably prevailed against his better judi
mcnt. La 1865 he nearly became tn,
candidate Of the Democratic party 70
President, while he earnestly supported
Mr. Greeley in the last campaign
Whether these errors Of judgment wer
due to disappointed hopes or genuin
conviction, is now Of little importance
as the American people will kindly over
look these minor iailings in characte
so grand and noble. Personally the lat
Chief Justice was Of very conmandin
appearance, while his disposition was al
ways calm and serene. The nation wi
feel deenlv his loss. while the pen of tn
his virtues.