Year: 1868

From the ST. Louis Democrat, 18th


So far as is known the first positive declaration
of Chief Justice Chase In the matter was made on
Thursday of last week, to q committee from
Democratic organization in Philadelphia. The
committee consisted Of John Welsh, last candidate
against Judge Kelley, and Assessor Frazier,
former Republican, who went into the Philadel-
phIa convention, subsequently swinging round the
circle with johnson, and has since acted With the
Democrats. They arrived in the capital Wednes-
day, and next day obtained an interview with Mr..
Chase when Frazier said:


a. Mr.. Chief Justice-We have called upon you
as members Of the Citizens Conservative Asso-
ciatIon of Pennsylvania, of which Ex-Governor
johnson is president, for the purpose Of consult
ing you IN reference 10 the use OF your name as
Peoples Conservative candidate for the presiden-
cy. We believe, sir, that the mass OF the Ameri-
can people are now looking to you as the man
who is TO lead us out Of the great difficulties We
are now in. The American people are now in
stnctively turning to you, that you may lead them
TO peace and national prosperity. We believe,
Mr. Chief Justice that with you as standard bearer
of all the people In opposition TO the radically


revolutionary measures Of the Republican party.


we can sweep the country from ocean to ocean.


vorsble consideration, and will coon come TO see


that you can serve your country much more eff


ciently as president OF the United States than in


the Cffice you now I'll with so much ability"


To this the chief justice replied substantially as
follows:


"Gentlemel-I am personally gratifed to meet


you and make your acquaintance. Nor am less


gratifed for the kind feeling you express for me;


but must frankly say 10 you, my position as
chief Justice of the Supreme Court forbids my
entering into politics. aud am thus debarred, and
very properly so, from mingng In the politics OF


the day. But, chief justice as | am. j feel / am


the servant Of the people, and should they call
me to preside for four years over the destiny OF
our country, doubtless would feel it my duty 10
comply. Understand me, am no candidate for
the office-an Office that, at best is anything but
agreeable, and one that, at present. is especially
vexatous and annoying"


To this the committee replied: But, Mr..
Chief Justice, although you are not a candidate
for the presidency, and are doubtless averse 70
assuming SO great responsibility, yet, sir If the
people turn to you, as they certainly WILL as their
deVerer, do you not feel that II would be your
| duty to help them? What we now want is peace
end prosperity, complete and permanent recon
stTuction of the South for, until we have the
| South restored, we can have no peace-untl we
have accomplished complete restoration of the


States of the South the business interests Of the
country will continue disorganized, aud financial
ruin will sooner or latter be our DOOM"


The chief justice replied briefly that he was in


the hands Of the people, and although not desiring
| the presidency, yet if the people called him to
serve them in a higher and more arduOus sphere,
| he would doubtless comply. BE felt, perhaps no
| man more keenly, the deporabe condition of our
country. and if there was anything he could do to
restore confidence to having peace with all its
blessings, and calm the passions of the people
| that he would freely do.