168 SALMON P. CHASE. [1830-40. of the United States in Cincinnati, and not long after that assumed a like position in one of the city banks. The first important case that brought him distinctly and prominently before the public, outside of commercial practice, occurred in the year 1837. This was a "fugi- tive slave case," in which Mr. Chase acted as counsel for a colored woman, claimed under the law of 1793. The same year, in an argument before the Supreme Court of Ohio, in defense of James G. Birney, prosecuted under a State law for harboring a negro slave, Mr. Chase so acquitted himself as to add materially to his already honorable reputation, and inspire general confidence in his learning, skill, readiness, and power as a jurist. His status at the bar was now an undoubted one. He took rank with the oldest and ablest practitioners. But the very zeal with which he entered into the cases referred to, and others of a kindred nature — the thorough- ness of his preparation, and the ability of his argument — while they fixed his reputa- tion as a lawyer, and rapidly increased the business committed to his charge, at the same time tended to draw him aside from the legitimate and most successful practice of his profession, and start him in a new and untried career. The extension of the anti-slavery sentiment, and his prominent connection with a class of cases so neai'ly allied to it, together with the fact that this sentiment wjis fast receiving vitality in organized forms, gradually drew him into politics. Previous to the year, 1841, though ranking with the young Whigs of Cincinnati, and acting with them, he had never taken any thing like a prominent part in their movements. During this year, his anti-slavery sentiments having been strengthened by observation and reflection, and it appearing certain to him that legitimate aims which he regarded as of paramount importance could hope to be attained only through the instrumentality of party organization, he united in a call for the State Liberty Convention of Ohio, and subsequently for the National Liberty Convention of 1843, in the proceedings of both of which he took a part whose prominence was surpassed by that of no other man. Mr. Chase's political career was now fully commenced, and has been continued with activity and ability ever since. He was chosen a Senator of the United States from Ohio in the year 1849, and served his full term with much distinction. In 1855 he was elected Governor of Ohio, and in 1857 re-elected — administering affairs with great ability and prudence, and by his wisdom and devotion to the interests of the State, commanding respect at home and abroad. In the beginning of 1860 he was again elected to the Senate of the United States, in which august body he will be entitled to take his seat on the fourth of March, 1861. Judging Mr. Chase's future by his past, that section of the Union to which he more particularly belongs, will have cause to congratulate itsetf upon his re-election to the Senate, should it be in the order of events that he is there to take the oath of office. Throughout the Senatorial service which he has already rendered, the most abundant evidence was afforded of his attachment to the great and free North-West, whose interests he watched over with the most jealous care. No narrow feelings of section- alism, however, control his actions ; and when his responsibilities as Senator are re- newed, his vision, we are satisfied, will have a broad national scope.
