The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-16
NEW YORK HERALD MONDAY MARCH 6 1s74-TRIPLE SHEET.

last. II was like marching from Atlanta to the
sea. But when peace came he would no more
continue it than he would have fought
Grants and Sherman's battles over again. War
measures had ceased with the war. SO from his
high place az the Chef Justice or the court OF last
resort in the land, he solemn1y decreed that the
Legal Tender act was unconstitutional. 1t was
noble Judgment, and the one upon which his fame
will rest. The subsequent packing OF the Court,
the pitfu occasion seized upon for the reversal of
that decision, the pitifu conferences and orders,
now told and ingeniously told Tor the first time In
Mr.. Schuckers' narrative. by which 1t was accom-
pllshed, have become history. Taken In connec-
ton with the legislation Of Congress and the adj
ministration OF the Treasury by Mr. Boutwell, and
his successor, it Ia history unfortunately which
disgraces the government In Its three coordinate
branches and dishOnOrs the American people.
MR.. CHASE AS A SOCIAL REroRMER
Mr.. Chase's earlier career was chiefly distin-
guished Tor his hostility to the extension OF slavery.
Though among the first OF the freesoilers. he was
not, at any time. an abolitionst In the full mean
Ing OF the term. He was, however, at all times
outspoken on the subject-a quality which, at
time when the best OF men in the free States were
afraid or ashamed to condemn slavery, was cacu-
lated to bring him into odium. 1t was thus that at
the very outset OF his public career Mr.. Chase
found himself without party at the same time
that he was laying the foundation OF MS
subsequent life. He voted for Harrison in 1910.
but he was not properly whig, though still
doubtful whether 1t was possible to form an anti
slavery party. The attack on Mr. James q.
Birney's newspaper in Cincinnati, and mis- unsuc-
cessful attempt TO prevent slave being brought
into Ohio by her MASTER which occurred soon after
Harrison's surrender to the ''slave power" In his
inaugural address, determined him in assisting
in tho lnrn, off of
State. Mr.. Chase's subsequent services, both in
and out OF Congress. on the slavery question from
this time till alter the proclamation of emancpa-
ton, were earnest and consistent They were not
greater than those OF a hundred other men, and fix
his rank as q social refOrmer no higher than that
Of hundred others. No one man abolished
slavery in the United States, but its abolition,
when 1t came, came as necessity. II Mr.. Chase's
reputation depended on his rank as social re-
former it would fall much below the rank OF his
craftsmanship. as it exhibited IN his admins
tration of the Treasury Department and his inter-
probation Of his own financial measures as Judge.
Mr.. Scnuckers gives very clear and succinct &C
count Of this part OF Mr.. Chases career, which Is
all the better because 1t is not overwhelmed with
details Of the long and bitter antslavery struggle.
MIR. CHASE IN PUBLIC ESTEEM.
Mr.. Chase was man OF singular power and IN
duence In his own State. Few men had warmer
frlends IN his own party or more ardent admirers
out oft. lie was an Ohi0an planet, with his sat-
elites constantly revolving round him. Among the
earnest ant-slavery spirits he became sort OF
demigod. In maniness and culture he was ut
representative OF the proud young State which
nOnored HIM. Even those who disagreed with him
and some OF those who hated him could not refuse
to praise him. He was more easily forgiven, too,
than otner men. These feelings, which took deep
root in his own State, at length became common
all over the country. WHAT would have
been sin in other men was not
grevous fault in Mr.. Chase WHAT II
he climbed into the Senate in 1S49 on the same
plan that made Mr.. Cameron hated by both wings
and democrats in 1s45 and defeated him in 1854
What II he aspired to the Presidency, after putting
1t away as an object OF ambition, by assuming
the highest judicial functions in the country ?
What If he was not always in accord with Mr.. Lin
coin, and was as willing to succeed to the Pres-
dency in 1864 as in 1867 These things cease to be
offences in o man like Mr.. Chase, and, though
some men will not be willing to accept these con.
clusions, there are lew persons who will not re-
joice at the modesty ana gentleness with which
Mr.. Schuckers has treated these episodes IN his life.
AS they could not mar him in public esteem while
living they should not do hurt to his memory now
that he Is dead.