Chase, Salmon P. (Salmon Portland) (1808-1873) to Jehu Glancy Jones
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05677.04 Author/Creator: Chase, Salmon P. (Salmon Portland) (1808-1873) Place Written: Washington, D. C. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 11 July 1868 Pagination: 3 p. ; 18.7 x 24.4 cm. Order a Copy
Chase, Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, discusses party politics with Jones, a judge and former United States Representative from Pennsylvania. Refers to the conflict between serving in a judicial position and taking an active part in political nominations. States that his own political interest is "altogether personal. It depends entirely on the probabilities of life and health." Discusses his preference for remaining independent of party politics. Labeled as private.
Chase served as United States Senator from Ohio 1849-1854 and 1861-1862, Governor of Ohio 1855-1857, Secretary of the Treasury 1861-1864, and Chief Justice 1864-1873. Jones served as United States Representative 1851-1858, and as Minister to Austria 1858-1861.
[excerpt]
...The Nominat[ions ?] & the platform, taken in connexion with the interpretation of the latter by the letter of General Blair, would deprive me of all power to be useful politically; even if it were not plainly improper for one holding the judicial position I occupy to take active political part. Besides, the great body of them, who, outside of the Convention party would have supported me would have done so in the confidence that the party would adopt my views at least so far as to secure to the enfranchised people all the rights, already or some to be conferred by the new Constitution of the Northern states, against all intervention of the national government, & would also, perhaps develope in its future actions, more & more, progressive & generous tendencies. This [2] confidence has been totally destroyed by the acts of the convention, and cannot be restored though I or an angel from Heaven should endeavour to revive it. I am confident that Gov. Seymour would have made a very different platform if he had been allowed to do so... The difficulty is that the confidence I feel cannot be imparted to others. And my own is personal - altogether personal. It depends entirely on the probabilities of life and health... Perhaps the result of the events of the last few months is the best that could be for me. They have cut me off, almost wholly, from political connexion; & left me, democratic to principles indeed for I cannot be otherwise but independent of party….
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