The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-10-25
CHASE AND LINCOLN.
Interesting "reminiscences in the Life Of the
Late Chief-Justice.

CHICAGO, Oct. 23.-An interesting contrihu
ton to the current fund of "reminiscences OF
Salmon P. Chase. especially in his relations with
President Lincoln, is given to the press in ad
vance sheets Of ''The Everyday Life of Abra
ham Lincoln, by the Men Who Knew Him." pre-
pared by Mr.. Francis F. Browne, editor of the
DIAL Chicago. Although in preparation for sew
eral years, the work has not before been pub
licly announced Among those who
have contributed personal "reminiscences
TO the work is A. G. Riddle, during the war a
and intimate friend of the then Secre-
tary of the Treasury. He relates that shortly
before the Baltimore convention of June. 1864,
he was invited to accompany Mr. Chase on a trip
from Washington to Baltimore. The feeling
between Mr. Lincoln and Mr.. Chase was at that
tanned by the friends of the former that ne might
not be nominated The feeling was intensified
by violent assault on Mr. Chase by F. p Blair,
then Congressman from Missouri, made on
the floor of the House under circumstances
which led Mr. Chase to believe that the Presi-
dent had inspired or approved the attack. Mr..
Riddle says it was the evening following
Blalrs speech when he met Mr.. Chase at the de-
pot in Washington and was shown to the Secre-
tary's private car. where he found him alone and
speech, and threatened to leave the train at once
and give the President his resignation. Mr.
Riddle, with difficulty, persuaded him to go on
to Baltimore and forward his resignation from
there hold it till his return to Washington the
following day.
The crisis seemed so grave. not only for the
future of Mr.. Lincoln. but for the Union cause,
that on reaching Baltimore Mr. Riddle excused
himself and Immediately took the return train
for Washington. He went direct TO the Presi-
HQfo cd tn hna fhn hraa "a
before Chases angry resignation made it too late,
as it was almost certain that without the support
of Chaseaand his friends Mr.. Lincoln could not
be renominated. He found Mr.. Lincoln at the
White House quite grim, evidently prepared
for the battle which he supposed awaited
him. A fresh statement of the case was made
by Mr.. Riddle and by Judge Spauldng an
other member of the House from Ohio, and
Mr. Lincoln, moved by the friendly action of
those he had supposed his political enemies,
changed his attitude of defiance and responded
heartily and cordially, explaining that he had
no previous knowledge of Blair's speech and re-
GREETED it exceedingly He authorized the com
munication of his explanation to Mr.. Chase,
which was dore, and the latter was quite salts
fed. At the Baltimore convention Mr.. Chase's
friends, including Governor pennison, the pre-
siding officer, gave their strength to Mr.. Lin
coin, thus securing his denomination and leaving
Mr.. Chase out of the presidency.
1t is we'll known that the relations between
MT. CnaSo ana MT Lincoln ala not continue as
harmonious as their friends desired Soon after
Mr.. Lincoln's denomination Dir. Chase proposed
to resign as Secretary of the Treasury, but was
persuaded to reconsider his determination.
Among those active in the matter was Governor
Brough. of Ohio, and when, later in the sum-
mer, Mr. Chase again threatened to resign.
Governor Brough once more essayed the role
of mediator. Mr.. William Henry Smith, Ohios
Secretary of State under Governor Brough, and
intimately acquainted with the circumstances
that occurred. relates, in the work already re-
ferred TO, that Governor Brough, after talking
the matter over with Secretaries Chase and
Stanton, called on the President and urged some
settlement that would retain She services of Mr..
Chase in the Cabinet Mr. Lincoln very
kind and admitted tho force of all that was
urged. but finally SAID, with + frmness that was
quite conclusive, "Brough, TA4enk you had bet
ter give up the job this time" Mr. Chases res
ienation as Secretary of the Treasury was soon
after accepted by Mr.. Lincoln.