Year: 1873

ms INTERVIEW WITH MR.. SUMMER PROBABLY IN


CORRECTLY REPoRTED-ms GENERAL APPROVAL


oP PRESIDENT GRANTS OFFICIAL ACTS.


70 tAe EdfEor Of The Trt6"ne'


Sn. have Just returned home from the
tuneral OF the late ChiefJusce, and desire TO ca your
attention at the earliest moment 10 report pubnshed
m Tuy RtRIE on the sth nst purportng 10 give tho
substance Of a conversation held between MI Sumner
and Mr. Chase their last interview MI chase is re-
ported as having said TO Mr. Sumner as follows:


"Ee Chase) spoke with apprehension Of the prosperity
Of the country, and greyed at the tendency OF the
present Administration


This statement 80 gravely put forth, as almost the
last public utterance Of the dying ChefJustce, and
40 calculated while all hearts warmed toward his
memory TO be received with unusual and cOnsd
Grafton by his oountymen seems TO me calculated TO do
great injury and injustice TO the living and ought not 10
be allowed to pass without comment or criticism NO
man would respect the word Of senator Sumner more
than myself and my personal regard for him would ior
bid any effort my part to question the accuracy OF
any statement made by him his own signature Dut
IN this ease 1 am confident the statement as printed
ssnveys wholly idea, and does not III any
express the real convictions OF MI |h"se'
Tor II Is IN utter opposition 10 MS "eli
known and often expressed opinion. Nor does II SOUND
nj all like Mr. Chase, agree in any manner win
what know were the views and opinions he held OF
Gen Grant or his Administration. The President MT
Chase regarded as an absolutely honest incorrupuOle
and patriotic man. Of excellent sense and rare gooo
Judgment earnestly striving 10 do his best 10 govern
the country faithfully and well And he always spoke
OF his Administration with entire respect and regard
That Mr.. Chase grieved and greatly annoyed at
many things the present condition OF Louisiana, as
well as the south generally and expressed himself
have no doubt But he held the President OF his
Administration responsible for them for moment. He
did grieve that Congress would not act
Hpon the subject of Louisiana, and provide
~ far as possible remedy for the evils
under which she is laOoring because, he said, let
the President sustain either faction in that State. he
would be met with the uncOmpromsing hostility Of the
other" Hence his apprehension" But be was too
above petty prejudice party passion to hold Gen.
Grant responsible for state Of things IN louisiana be
could control than he could the waters OF the
great river that roll by her borders unvexed to the
So late after the nomination OF Mr. Greeley at Gin
Cinnau while sitting with Mr.. Chase at Eigewood, he
said that Gen. Grant, upon the whole, had
given the country excellent Administration
had made as few mistakes as could have
been expected from man who was new TO
civil life and the public men Of the nation and said he
emphatcay, 81 believe he is an honest, patriotic man
desirous Of doing his whole duty toward the country
and approve substantially Of all the acts of his ad-
mnstration except his interference with the independ-
rnce the Supreme Court and have told the Presi-
himself within few days These views in regard
20 President Grant, confident, Mr.. Chase held at
his death II was never Mr.. Chases habit u speak III OF
auv one and Gov Sprage saws that In all the intimacy
OF life he heard the ChiefJustce SPEAK
adisrespectful word Of Gen. Grant OF his Administration


one word in regard TO Louisiana. know that the
President extremely desrOus that Congress should
Iegsate upon that 'subect and relieve him OF all re-
spOnslbity upon the question. And that no mistake
should occur blame attach 70 him thereafter, he dn
formed Congress what he should do If IL failed TO direct
him otherwise Congress. with full knowledge of the
views OF Administration, adjourned without action,
and the President, under the advice Of the Attorney
General, sustans the Kellogg Government. The
President may have erred in his conclusion. Ine
Attorney General may have erred IN advising the Pres
ident 70 decision The Cabinet may have erred also
But II in error the Chief~Iustce believed they all


honest i'm their views and meant for the best And until
Congress the Supreme Court shall decide that they
are wrong. 10 seems clearly the duty OF all good
citizens 10 uphold and sustain the President in the
rusiOn which he has come, let the consequences be
what they may the Wsest ana only prudent course
10 pursued under the veXatOus aud trouble
some condition OF affairs IN that State.


RICHARD c. PARSONS.


ClepeldRd Ohio May l6, 1878.