The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-07-20
Kate Chase.
Chicago Inter Ocean.

BY any monarchy, and perhaps by any re-
public, OF the Old World, the memory of such
services as were rendered by the late Chief
Justice Chase would be- incentive of a pension
sufficient 20 the comfort of tho closing years
OF the daughter who was in no slight measure
his adviser and inspirer. Ii is "A sad story that
comes from Washington concerning the pow
erty OF Kate Chase, for as Kate Chase she is
best known now, and IL likely 10 be known
for all time. We say for all time because her
name cannot be left out of any complete his
tory of the United states from 1850 TO 1850.
She was part OF the politics OF that magnifi-
cent era. Then. and then only, and under
her management only there was in Washing
ton real saloon. Lady Palmerston did no
more tor the English Wings between 1910 and
la1o than Kate Chase did for American politics
between 60 and 20. This II high praise; but
in truth the American lady should have pre-
cedence in the court OF fame for great as were
the charms and delicate as was the tact OF the
English Niscountess she moved as the wife
of England's greatest foreign secretary and
OF far from the least OF England = prime min
listers. AS diplomat Palmerston was little
short OF the peer of Talleyrand and he per-
petually over-matched Gortchakof and as
prime minister he carried out tho most Wig
orous policy that England has had since Pitt
died. Kate Chase, who was Mrs. Sprague.
gained from hor husband only such advantage
as the use OF money well administered upon
can give and pocuniarily she was in her hoy
day of prosperity less endowed than the Pal
merstons who husband and wife had
rent rolls that brought thom "a yearly revenue
of near half million dollars but Mrs Sprague
made while Kate Chase added TO thom all tho
chief politicians all the great soldiers. all the
bright wits of law, journalism and literature,
all the diplomats. and indced all who were
famous and powerful, and gave TO Washing
ton "A saloon that Paris never has eclipsed and
that London only once has rivalCd. She stood
central an6 distinguished In the great crowd
She not only assembled the leaders OF man
kind, but was counselor OF them. Her
advice frequently was asked, ana as frequently
acted upon. 1t Is doubtful If any secrets of
state We're unknown 20 her in the days when
few were admitted 10 the arena OF politics.
It is said that she was selfish. Tho charge
Is just If "A noble ambition TO advance the pol
itical fortunes of an able and patriotic sire bo
selfish. To see her father President was the
consuming desire OF her soul That no would
have made an admirable President none can
doubt. But there were adverse circumstances
that the tact of the daughter could not avoid
nor the strength OF her father overcome.
Mr.. Chase has sure place in history as "A
great Secretary OF the Treasury and as a
great Chief Justice, but the presidency was
not ordained for him. The daughters name
will live with tho fathers, and will be sur
rounded by delicate halo and "A perfume of
its own.
Evil days have come upon this grand lady.
lt is "A pity, after ALL that there Is no likeii.
hood OF "A pension and no possibility OF "A
public place being provided for her comfort