Reconstruction Days
Salmon P. Chase served as Secretary of the Treasury in Lincoln's administration throughout the civil war (years 1861 - 1864). Following his service, he became a Chief Justice in the United States Supreme Court, serving from 1864 to 1873. Beginning in his years under Lincoln's administration in the Civil War, Chase had begun to express overtly his feelings toward the inclusion of freedmen's political rights universal manhood suffrage. This is reflected in this correspondence with the esteemed General Sherman, who Chase held in high regard for his military service, but also held criticism for in his treatment of the black population he encountered.
The correspondence dates from the year 1865 and Sherman was in charge at the time of military occupation during the very beginnings of Reconstruction. Big questions in the aftermath of the war were still being passed around, as the Federal government struggled to readmit the rebellious states into the Union while simultaneously deciding what to do with the huge numbers of newly freed slaves in the South, as well as the now defeated Confederate government officials. In this instance, Chase stresses highly on the treatment of the freedmen, and very clearly states his opinions on the matter toward Sherman in a time of fresh debate.
At one point in Sherman's occupation, the general stressed the need to some of the excess "mules and negroes" from his camp, to which Chase took great offense to. As the editor notes, it is likely that the move was legitimately done out of pure necessity and the phrasing was simply not considered. But to Chase, the direct inclusion of blacks and cattle together was an offense committed by Sherman, and Chase used it as a landing point to discuss his views on their political rights. Chase argued that the inclusion of black freedmen into the political system was a necessity, and that their establishment as a political mechanism was vital in order to prevent re-enslavement in the future when the Federal presence was removed.
While Chase was making a practical argument for the inclusion of slavery, the correspondence with Sherman also alludes to his feelings on natural rights for the freedmen as well. In fact, in one letter, Chase writes that "In my judgment, negroes as men have the same rights as other men." This is a drastic departure from the ambiguous approach taken by moderates such as Lincoln, and reflects more directly the radical opinions toward freedmen. Again, Chase takes it one step further than most in the same letter, expressing "that in political reorganization of the States in insurrection, political as well as natural rights must be conceded to a portion, at least, of the colored population." It is still very safe to assume that Chase is not considering full natural rights as we might consider them in modern times, however it is still a highly progressive voice in a time when the question was finally being forced to be answered.
The importance of letters and correspondences such as these is that this is a politically active voice (former Secretary of the Treasury, and then a Chief Justice) demonstrating a clear opinion in favor of political inclusion of the freedmen into the United States. President Johnson hardly shared the same leniency toward blacks, and Lincoln's stance took a much more moderate and cautious approach in the face of the challenge of preserving the Union. With Chase, a politically motivated and highly significant figure, giving such a radically progressive voice in favor of the freedmen, it is a window into a minority opinion on the question, and an opinion that would only partially come into fruition in the coming years of Reconstruction.
The correspondence dates from the year 1865 and Sherman was in charge at the time of military occupation during the very beginnings of Reconstruction. Big questions in the aftermath of the war were still being passed around, as the Federal government struggled to readmit the rebellious states into the Union while simultaneously deciding what to do with the huge numbers of newly freed slaves in the South, as well as the now defeated Confederate government officials. In this instance, Chase stresses highly on the treatment of the freedmen, and very clearly states his opinions on the matter toward Sherman in a time of fresh debate.
At one point in Sherman's occupation, the general stressed the need to some of the excess "mules and negroes" from his camp, to which Chase took great offense to. As the editor notes, it is likely that the move was legitimately done out of pure necessity and the phrasing was simply not considered. But to Chase, the direct inclusion of blacks and cattle together was an offense committed by Sherman, and Chase used it as a landing point to discuss his views on their political rights. Chase argued that the inclusion of black freedmen into the political system was a necessity, and that their establishment as a political mechanism was vital in order to prevent re-enslavement in the future when the Federal presence was removed.
While Chase was making a practical argument for the inclusion of slavery, the correspondence with Sherman also alludes to his feelings on natural rights for the freedmen as well. In fact, in one letter, Chase writes that "In my judgment, negroes as men have the same rights as other men." This is a drastic departure from the ambiguous approach taken by moderates such as Lincoln, and reflects more directly the radical opinions toward freedmen. Again, Chase takes it one step further than most in the same letter, expressing "that in political reorganization of the States in insurrection, political as well as natural rights must be conceded to a portion, at least, of the colored population." It is still very safe to assume that Chase is not considering full natural rights as we might consider them in modern times, however it is still a highly progressive voice in a time when the question was finally being forced to be answered.
The importance of letters and correspondences such as these is that this is a politically active voice (former Secretary of the Treasury, and then a Chief Justice) demonstrating a clear opinion in favor of political inclusion of the freedmen into the United States. President Johnson hardly shared the same leniency toward blacks, and Lincoln's stance took a much more moderate and cautious approach in the face of the challenge of preserving the Union. With Chase, a politically motivated and highly significant figure, giving such a radically progressive voice in favor of the freedmen, it is a window into a minority opinion on the question, and an opinion that would only partially come into fruition in the coming years of Reconstruction.
Source:
S. H. M. Byers, H. W. Halleck, ed. "Reconstruction Days." The North American Review 143, no. 358. (Cedar Falls: University of Northern Iowa, 1886). 219-224.
I really like that you used Chase's letter. During this time you really did not see alot of white men in powerful areas in governement really stand up for the rights of blacks I feel like. Other then the key players like the president and so on. I really like that you included the quote "In my judgment, negroes as men have the same rights as other men." As you said you dont see alot of people giving a clear answer on what they truly beleived in.
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