The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1875-12-23
lET7ER' FROM tx. GOV. SPRAGUE
OF RHODE ISLAND.
Iprom tbo youngstown Vlndlcator.l


An article in the Rindicatoy, of two
weeks ago, vindicating the memory Of
the late Chief Justice Chase from the pet
ty aspersions Of the editor Of the Regis
ter & Tribune of this city, has called
forth the following letter, replete with
pertinent and philosophical observations
from Ex- Gov. Wm, Sprague Of Rhode Is
land, how the husband Of Kate Chase
who was the acknowledged queen OF
Washington society during the official
life Of her illustrious father in that city.
We print the letter for the purpose Of
commencing it to the attention of those
narrow political bigots who can find no
good in departed statesman who, at
any time during his life, may have felt
himself called upon to oppose the schemes
Of the party to which such bigots belong;
CRANsroN R. l. Nov, 29, 1875.
w. L. Brown, Esq, Youngstown, O.,
Thanks for your article concerning Mr.
Chase. Unfavorable criticism touching
men of varied requirements and relig-
ious adherence to all the interests of the
people, and of all classes and conditions
of the people, is not confined to your an
tagonist. 1t prevails generally, with
those developing special and almost al
ways selnish attributes and interests.
Witness Mr.. Astor's life and funeral
eulogies, and so of Mr.. Wilson's also,
Mr.. Wilson was useful man. Mr. As
tor was one also, but as evidence of the
existence of conditions in the country,
that last will of his destroys its institu-
tions and its liberties.
Mr.. Wilson rose to prominence from
the inanition Of the respectable, wealthy
and educated classes of Massachusetts,
These possessed that kind of complac-
ency which says; i am holier than
thou without animation sufficient to
make its manifest.
Before such elements Mr.. Wilson had
an easy victory. Impulse alone defeat
ed Wilson's opponents. Mr.. Wilson tore
at great power, without himself having
a scintilla Of perception of what its forci-
Bile destruction would entail on the coun-
try. Mr.: Chase, with all his sense of the
wrong of slavery, never lost sight of the
evils its death-throes would entail on lib
erty. Could he have guided the coun-
cils, the result would have been slav-
cry checked then extinguished, leaving
country untrammeled with its principles,
but in another form. "Let them go" would
not now be considered quite as heterodox
as it was considered in 1861. Had the
South gone, they could not have held to-
gether as long as it took us to preak
them up. There is now no possible
question on that score. Without we'll or
ganized and cultivated brain-force, di.
rected to sustain principles rather than
things, to arrest and turn the torrent in
public and private affairs chaos will
come and that speedily, Notwithstanding
funeral eulogies, press-wisdom and the
Centennial.
We may strike at power great way
off with impunity, because of personal
success, but.when we do the same thing
to power near by, it evinces great intel
lectual force and culture and keen per-
pections or results if we succeed. Mr.
Wilson succumbed to the latter. Mr.
Chase never did. Mr.. Chases far-seeing
perceptions, reflections and studies noted
The strength and weakness of power
He made them contribute to his country's
interests and reputation, rather than to
special interests or men associated with
such. Such a man cannot be sustained
by power. 1t is servants, not masters, it
selects, Notwithstanding the latter pre-
serve its usefulness, while the former
burden and bury it up.
Yours Truly,
VIM. SPRAGUE.