The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1874-11-13
cHIEF-JuSTIcE CHASE ok"REcoN
STUCTIOH,"

As of especial interest at this time, we
commend to our readers the following
extract from "Warden's Life of Chase"
''As to the Chief-Justice being the al
ly of Mr.. johnson, it is a fit absurdity.
Since his proclamation of a provisional
government for North Carolina, in order
TO reconstruction on the White basis, l
have been opposed to his plans. And
have been just as steadily friend to tine
congressional policy OF reconstruction,
so far as it contemplated equal rights
for all, secured by equ1l constitutions
and laws But do not believe in mill
tary domination any more than do in
slavehOlding oligar, hy; nor do / believe
that anything has been accomplished by
military supremacy in the rebel States
that could not have been as well, if not
better. accomplished by civil supremacy,
authorized and regulated by Congress,
with military subordination. But | pre-
fer even military domination for a time,
itself controlled and directed by Con-
gress. with an honest reference to res
toration of the States to full participa-
ton in the government, with suffrage
secured to all who will not seek to with
hold it from Others, to any such plan as
that proposed by the President.
While | have condemned the Presi-
dents attempt to impose on the colOred
population of the South, the rule of the
ex-rebel population, and his hostility to
congressional reconstruction, / have not
thought it necessary to revile him. lido
not quarrel with people about matters in
which | differ from them. like manly
and frank dealing, even between eX-
tremest political opponents. have,
therefore, called upon the President,
when official propriety has required and
three or four of these occasions have
been at his request; Others have been
on public occasions. Once, and once
only, have called to serve, if L could,
old friends who had done faithful SER
vice in the war. On several occasions,
when have met the President, public
matters have been the theme of conver-
sation, and believe | never failed on
what thought my duty on such occa-
sions. urged him, by every argument
that could think of, to abandon his
opposition to congressional reconstruc-
ton, and 10 universal suffrage. AT the
last of these interviews. now months ago,
he complained of Sheridan and Stanton,
and intimated his ittention to remove
them. told him plainly what | thought
of it, and what the people would think
of it, and warned him of the danger of
the avalanche.
/ do not deny that sympathy with
him had something to do with my ac-
ton. remembered his loyalty at the
Outset of the war, and his patriotism all
through the war, and l urged him to re-
trace his steps. But could do nothing.
l believe, however, that he saw that my
purpose was an honest one, and not ac
tuated by personal hostility, and, there
fore, felt a certain degree cf respect, ana,
perhaps, regard for lie. 1t was not
enough TO induce him to spare my friends
from removal, but it led him, doubtless,
to pay me the compliment of attending
that reception of mine to which the cor
respondent refers.
Now, that is all of my intercourse
with the President. | tell you for your
own satisfaction and information. Let
it go no farther. | will not defend my
self against calumny except by my acts.
''And in the present heated temper of
the public mind, can not hope to
escape a great deal of honest censure.
Nv duties are judicial. What l honest
ly believe the Constitution and laws to
sanction or condemn, that l must, fear
less, sanction or condemn. am OF no
party on the bench. If believe an act,
or part of an act, of a Republican Con-
gress to be unconstitutional. must say
so. If a man whom Republicans would
gladly see condemned has rights, and
must judge, the rights shall be respected.
And so of the Democrats. l expect to
please neither at all times. But, God
helping Inc, will do my duty, sorry
only that limited powers do not allow
me to do it better.
Goodbye. Sincerely your friend,
N