Wilmington daily commercial., 1874-09-04


The following extract from the life Of Chief
Justice Chase, by ]. W. Schucker, giving an
account of an eventful period of our country's
history, will be read with interest. 1t is taken
from a diary of the late Chief Justice, who was
at that time Secretary of the Treasury, under
date OF September 22 1862
1.-THE department about nine. State Depart
ment messenger came with notice to heads of
departments to meet at twelve. Received sun
dry callers. Went to the White House. All the
members of the Cabinet were IN attendance.
There was some general talk, and the President
mentioned that Artemus Ward had sent him his
book. Proposed to read u chapter which he
thought very funny. Read it, and seemed to en-
Joy it very much the heads also, Except
Stanton.) The chapter was High Handed Out
rage at Utica
The President then took q graver Tone and
| said Gentlemen, have, as you are aware,
| thought great deal about the relation OF this
| war to slavery, and you will remember that, sew
eral weeks ago, read to you an order l had
| prepared upon the subject, which on account OF
objections made by some of you was not Issued.
| Ever since then my mind has been occupied by
this subject and have thought all along that
| the time for acting OH it might probably come.
| | think the time has come. wish II was bet
ter time. The action of the army against the reb-
| els has not been quite what should have best
| liked But they have been driven outof Maryland
| and Pennsylvania ID no longer in danger OF niva-
| sion. When the rebel army was at Frederick
l determined, as soon as Should be driven out
| of Maryland, to issue proclamation of emanci-
| patton, such l thought most likely to be use
| full l said nothing to any one. but made a
promise to myself and (hesitating little) to my
Maker. The rebel army ia now driven out, and
| | am going to fulfil that promise. got you to-
| gether to hear what have written down. l do
| not wish your advice about the main matter fol
that have determined for myself. This say
without intending anything but respect for any
one of you. But already know the views OF
each this question. They have been
heretofore expressed, and l have considered
them thoroughly and carefully rs
can. What have written is that which
my reflections have determined me to say.
Ii there is anything in the expressions use,
| or in any minor matter, which any one of you
thinks had best be changed, shall be glad to
receive your suggestions. One other obHerva-
ton will make. | know very well that many
others night, in this matter in others, do
better than l can and if was satisfied that
the public confidence was more possessed by any
one OF them than by me, and knew of any con-
stitutional way in which he could be put in my
place, he should have it. / would gladly yield II
to him. But though believe that have not
so much Of the confidence of the people as
had some time since, l do not know that all
thugs considered, any other person has more
aud, however this may be, there is no way in
which can have any other man put where
am. / am here. / must do tue best / can and
bear the responsibility of taking the course
which feel ought to take.
The President then proceeded to read hit
Emancipation Proclamation, making remarks OIL
the several parts as he went on, and showing
that lie had fully considered the subject in al
the lights under which it had been presented Il
him.
Alter he had closed Gov. Seward said "Tht
general question having been decided, nothing
can be said further about that Would it not
however, make the proclamation more clear ant
! decided to leave out all reference to the &C
being sustained during the incumbency of til,
President and not merely say that the govern
ment recognizes, but that it will sustain tn
freedom it procaimsr Z"
followed, saying What you have said
| Mr.. President, fully satisfies me that you law
given to every proposition which has been mad
a kind and candid consideration. And you hav,
now expressed the conclusion to which you hav,
arrived clearly aud distinctly. This it was you
right, and under your oath of office your duty t
do. Tho proclamation does not, indeed, mar
out the course | would myself prefer; but al
, ready to stand by it with all my heart. / think
| however, the suggestions of Gov. Seward yer
t judicious, aud shall be glad to have them adopt
edn
The President then asked us severally on
opinions as to the notifications proposed, sayin
e that lie did not care much about the phrases Ii
: had used. Every one favored the modification
and it was adopted Governor Seward then pro
posed that in the passage relating to COLONIES
y ton, some language should be introduced
e show that the colonization proposed was to b
n only with the consent of the coonists and tn
consent of the States in which the colonies migl
II be attempted. This, too, was agreed to and II
= other modification was proposed.