SELECTED LETTERS OF SALMON P. CHASE

To E. S. Hamlin.

WASHINGTON Feb 9. 1855.

 DEAR HAMLIN, A much longer time has slipped by without my writing to you than ought; but you know what my situation is & your charity will excuse me.
The papers, which are really hearty against Slavery, are, I perceive, unanimous in urging my name for Governor, & I have assurances from whigs and democrats that if I become the Peoples Candidate there will be large support from the liberals of all sides. I appreciate these manifestations of regard very - very highly. Whatever proximate results may be they bind me by fresh ties to the Cause of Liberty & Progress. There seems now to be little opposition to my nomination except with the inconsiderable number who look with alarm or dislike upon the progress of our doctrine, unless the Kns shall take distinct ground against me. The opposition of the former class may be safely disregarded - that of the latter will probably divide the People's Movement if based on the ground that nobody is to be supported by the Kns unless a member of their order.
Judge Spalding was here a day or two since, and sought a conversation with me in relation to the Governorship. I was very explicit on all points:
1. That the nomination and election would doubtless gratify me as an endorsement of my course & a manifestation of confidence from the People of Ohio.
2. That I could not accept a nomination or be a candidate on any platform which did not represent my convictions. Of course, I w'd. not insist on the expression of all I wished; but the actual expression must be right & in the right direction.
3. That in no case could I suffer my name to be used to divide the opponents of slavery in Ohio; but, in case the Convention should take ground on which I could not honorably act, I should regard myself as having no present work to do in Ohio.
He seemed to have been a good deal under the impression that the Whigs would not support me, because of the events of 1849, & to have inclined to the idea that it would be best to defer to this sentiment & nominate another man: but he• left apparently determined to use his influence with us.-
Here the members of Congress all seem willing to support me, except perhaps, Campbell. He manifests a disinclination to touch the subject at all. I think he wishes to await the decision of the Kns. It is curious that he, a Seward Whig, should be apparently the chief of the western Knownothings. But strange things are happening now a days.
The elections of the last few weeks have produced a marked effect here. Harlan, Wilson, Durkee, Seward, are all regarded as hot shot from abolition cannon. Then the action of the Supreme Court of Wisconsin has startled the politicians - & the Judges too - not a little - and now even mobile I am writing comes the election of Trumbull in Illinois - Anti Douglas & Anti Nebraska at all events & an election which in this [illegible] at least a triumph. Everything indicates that the Antislavery Sentiment will [go] on & on to its final triumph now. What part Ohio shall have the next few months will go far to determine.
Write me soon & tell me all you learn. It seems to me you have said enough agst the Kns, and had better hold up. Give them credit for [illegible] in Massachusetts & wait till [illegible] if ever, to renew the combat. My idea is fight nobody who does not fight us. We have enemies enough in the Slaveholders & their aiders.
I write [illegible] about the paper.

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