The Chief Justice of Abolition

Salmon P. Chase was a man of profound conviction and unrelenting ambition, whose life intersected with America’s most defining struggles.

From his early days as a lawyer defending runaway slaves to his pivotal roles as Secretary of the Treasury during the Civil War and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Chase shaped the legal, financial, and moral foundations of a divided nation.

Today on Dave Does History, we explore his relentless fight for emancipation, his contributions to the Union war effort, and his legacy as a reformer. Join us as we delve into the remarkable life of a man who championed liberty and justice.

Salmon Portland Chase’s life is a testament to ambition, resilience, and an unyielding commitment to justice. Born on January 13, 1808, in Cornish, New Hampshire, Chase was shaped by early adversity. His father’s death left the family destitute, forcing young Salmon to find his way under the guidance of his uncle, Bishop Philander Chase. This strict Episcopal clergyman gave Salmon not only a home but also access to rigorous education.

Chase’s early academic success culminated in his graduation from Dartmouth College in 1826. Relocating to Washington, D.C., he balanced teaching at a boys’ school with studying law under Attorney General William Wirt. By 1829, Chase was admitted to the bar and soon established a legal practice in Cincinnati, Ohio. His ambitious reorganization of Ohio’s statutes into a widely praised three-volume compilation demonstrated his intellectual rigor and cemented his reputation as a legal mind of note.

Though initially focused on civil law, Chase’s legal career took a profound turn when he began defending runaway slaves and abolitionist allies. In a city with economic ties to the South, this work made him a controversial figure. Chase’s fearless advocacy in cases like Jones v. Van Zandt—where he argued that slavery was a local institution and unconstitutional on a national level—earned him the nickname “Attorney General for Fugitive Slaves.” Embracing the title, he declared his belief that democracy must extend its principles of liberty to all people, regardless of race.

This advocacy came at a personal and professional cost, alienating him from Cincinnati’s white establishment and even subjecting him to physical attacks. Despite these challenges, Chase’s reputation as a champion of abolition grew, paving the way for his entry into politics.

Chase’s political career began in earnest with the Liberty Party and later the Free Soil Party, where he helped draft platforms denouncing slavery’s expansion. By 1849, Chase was elected to the U.S. Senate, where he opposed the Compromise of 1850 and the Kansas-Nebraska Act with fiery speeches. These battles, coupled with his behind-the-scenes organizing, positioned Chase as a key figure in the creation of the Republican Party, which unified anti-slavery factions into a single force.

As Ohio’s first Republican governor (1856–1860), Chase championed public education, prison reform, and women’s property rights. Yet, his ambitions extended beyond the statehouse. Suffering from what colleagues dubbed “presidential fever,” Chase repeatedly sought the presidency. Despite his prominence, he failed to secure the Republican nomination in 1860, losing to Abraham Lincoln.

Chase’s rivalry with Lincoln was complicated by mutual respect. Lincoln, recognizing Chase’s administrative abilities, appointed him Secretary of the Treasury in 1861. Chase faced the herculean task of financing the Civil War, a challenge that required innovative solutions. His introduction of a national banking system stabilized the Union’s finances, while his issuance of “greenbacks”—the first federal paper currency—became a hallmark of his tenure. Ever the politician, Chase ensured his likeness appeared on the first $1 bills, blending personal ambition with public service.

Despite his financial successes, Chase’s frequent threats of resignation—often aimed at pressuring Lincoln—strained their relationship. In 1864, Lincoln finally accepted Chase’s fourth resignation, strategically removing a rival while securing his own political position.

Lincoln’s appointment of Chase as Chief Justice in 1864 was both a political maneuver and a nod to Chase’s legal acumen. As Chief Justice, Chase presided over significant cases, including Texas v. White (1869), which declared the Union indissoluble. His tenure also saw the contentious impeachment trial of President Andrew Johnson in 1868, where Chase upheld the Senate’s judicial integrity.

Chase’s rulings often reflected his abolitionist roots. He admitted John Rock as the first African American attorney to argue before the Supreme Court, underscoring his commitment to equality. However, his decision in Hepburn v. Griswold (1870), which declared parts of the Legal Tender Acts unconstitutional, created lasting controversy and was later overturned.

Chase’s political ambitions never waned; he sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 1868 but was passed over due to his progressive stance on voting rights for African Americans. By the time of his death on May 7, 1873, in New York City, Chase had left an indelible mark on America’s legal and political landscape.

His legacy as a reformer is evident in his lifelong fight against slavery, his role in stabilizing the Union’s finances during its greatest crisis, and his judicial leadership. Today, Chase’s name endures in institutions and history books, and his face once graced the $10,000 bill—a symbol of his pivotal role in shaping the nation.