Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-10-22
LINCOLN AND CHASE
How They Frequently Fell Out and
Were RecOuciled.

An interesting contribution to the current
fund OF "reminiscences of salmon L. Chase, es-
pecially ia his relations with President Lin-
coin, Is given to the press in advance sheets Of
The Every Day Lie of Abraham Lincoln by the
Men Who Knew Him." prepared by Mr.. Fran
els +. Browne, editor Of The D1ai, Chicago.
Among those who have contributed personal
"reminiscences to the work is Hon. 4. q. Rid
die, of this city, during the war a member of
Congress from Cleveland, Mr.. Chase's home,
and an intimate friend OF the then Secretary 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 ami Mr.. Chase was at
times quite bitter, and grave fears were enter
talned by the friends of the former that he
might not be renominaJed. The feeling was
Intensified by a violent assault on Mr.. Chase by
r +. Blair, then Congressman from Missouri,
made on the door of the House under circum-
stances which led Mr.. Chase to believe that
the President had inspired or approved the
attack Mr.. Riddle says II was on the evening
IouoWlng Bialrs speech when he met Mr..
Chase at the depot in Washington and was
shown TO the Secretary's private ear, where
he found him alone and in frenzy of rage.
lie was reading Blair speech, aud threat
ened To leave the train at once and give the
President his resignation. Mr.. Riddle with
oiHlcuity persuaded him TO go on to Baltimore
and forward his resignation from there, or
hold 1t TIL his return to ASKING ton, the follow
ing day. The crisis seemed SO grave not only
for the future OF Mr. Lincoln, cut Tor the Union
cause, That on reaching Baltimore, MIR. Riddle
excused himself, and immediately took the
return train for Washington. lie went direct
TO the President determined to heal the breach.
IL possible, before Chase's angry resignation
made IL too late, as il was almost certain that
without the support of Chase and his friends
Mr.. Lincoln could not he renominated. lie
found Mr. Lincoln, at the White House quite
grim, evidently prepared tor the battle which
lie supposed awaited him. A fresh statement
OF the case was made by Mr.. Riddle and by
Judge Spaulding. another 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 de-
Nance and responded heartily and cordially /,
explaining that he had no previous knowl-
edge OF Blair speech, and Regretted il exceed
ingly. He authorized the communication OF
his explanation 10 Mr.. Chase, which was done,
and The latter was quite satisfied. At the Balti-
more convention Mr.. Chases friends, including
Gov. Dennison, the presiding officer, gave their
strength to Mr.. Lincoln. thus securing his
nomination, and leaving Mir. Chase out OF the
presidency. Ii is well known that the relations
between Mr.. Chase and Mr.. Lincoln did not
continue as harmonious as their friends desired.
Soon alter Mr.. LincOln's denomination Mr..
Chase proposed to resign as Secretary OF the
Treasury. but was persuaded to reconsider has
denomination. Among those active in the
Later In the summer, Mr.. Chase again threat
ened to resign, Gov. Brough once more essay ed
the role oI mediator. Mr.. William Henry
Smith, OhioS secretary OF state under Gov
Brough, and intimately acquainted with the
circumstances that occurred, relates i'm the
work already referred TO that Gov. Brough,
aiter talking the matter over with Secretaries
Chase and Stanton, called on the President aud
urged some settlement that would retain the
services OF Mr.. Chase in the cabinet. Mr. Lin
coin was very kind, and admitted the force OF
all that was urged tut finally said, with a firm
ness that was quiet but conclusive: 'Brough,
think you had better give up the job this time !"
Mr.. Chases resignation Secretary OF the
treasury was soon after accepted by MIR. Lin