The time in which a man lives, and the circumstances by which he is surrounded, control his fate even more largely than his personal and inherent qualities. Mr. Chandler was fortunate in the time of his removal to the West, fortunate in the era which brought him into public life. When he became a citizen of Michigan the days of hard pioneer life were ending, extensive cultivation of the soil had begun, products for shipment were large and rapidly increasing. Facilities for transportation were already great. The Erie Canal had been open for several years, and steamers had multiplied on the Great Lakes. Everything was in readiness for a strong-minded, energetic, competent man of business, and Mr. Chandler had the good fortune to settle in Detroit at the precise point of time when the elements of success were within his grasp. For a quarter of a century thereafter his career was that of a business man intensely devoted to his private interests, and participating in public affairs only as an incident and with no effort to secure advancement. The result of this steady devotion to business was that Mr. Chandler found himself at forty-four years of age possessed of a large property, constantly and rapidly increasing in value.
Coincident with this condition in his financial fortunes came a crisis in the political affairs of the country, involving the class of questions which took deep hold on the mind and the heart of Mr. Chandler. The curbing of the slave power, the assertion and maintenance of freedom on free soil, undying devotion to the Union of the States, and the bold defense of the rights of the citizen—these were the issues which in various phases absorbed the public mind from the repeal of the Missouri compromise in 1854 down to the close of Mr. Chandler's life. And on all the issues presented for consideration for twenty-five years Mr. Chandler never halted, never wearied, never grew timid, never was willing to compromise. On these great questions he became the leader of Michigan, and Michigan kept Mr. Chandler at the front during the prolonged struggle which has wrought such mighty changes in the history of the American people.
It is a noteworthy fact, not infrequently adverted to, that the political opinions of Michigan both as Territory and State, for a period of sixty years, were represented, and indeed in no small degree formed, by two men of New Hampshire birth. From 1819 to 1854 General Cass was the accepted political leader of Michigan, and only once in all that long period of thirty-five years did her people fail to follow him. That was in 1840, when the old pioneers and the soldiers of 1812—generally the friends of Cass—refused his leadership, and voted for the older pioneer and the more illustrious chieftain, William Henry Harrison. From 1854 till Mr. Chandler's death the dominant opinion of Michigan was with him; and her people followed him, trusted him, believed in him. During that quarter of a century the population of the State more than trebled in number, but the strength of Chandler with the newcomers seemed as great as with the older population with whom he had begun the struggle of life in the Territory of Michigan. The old men stood firmly by him in the faith and confidence of an ancient friendship, and the young men followed with an enthusiasm which grew into affection, and with an affection which ripened into reverence.
Mr. Chandler's life in Washington, apart from his public service, was a notable event in the history of the capital. His wealth enabled him to be generous and hospitable, and his elegant mansion was a center of attraction for many years. Nor were the guests confined to one party. Mr. Chandler was personally popular with his political opponents, and the leading men of the Democratic party often sat at his table and forgot in the genial host, and the frank, sincere man, all the bitterness that might have come from conflict in the partisan arena.
It is fitting that Mr. Chandler's life be written. It is due, first of all, to his memory. It is due to those who come after him. It is due to the great State whose Senator he was, whose interests he served, whose honor he upheld. I am glad the work is committed to competent friends, who can discriminate between honest approval and inconsiderate praise, and who with strict adherence to truth can find in his career so much that is honorable, so much that is admirable, so little that is censurable, and nothing that is mean.
Very sincerely yours,
JAMES G. BLAINE.
Washington, February 15, 1880.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
| CHAPTER I. | |
|---|---|
| Birthplace and Ancestry in New England. | |
| PAGE. | |
| The town of Bedford, N. H.—King Phillip's War—Land grants to surviving soldiers—Souhegan-East—Grant of a charter—Naming the town—The early settlers—The thirst for civil and religious liberty—Records of the church—The thrift of the people—Native humor—A patriotic record—Services in three wars. | [19] |
| CHAPTER II. | |
| Parentage and Childhood. | |
| The Chandlers of New England—The first Zechariah and his possessions—Settlement in the intervale of the Merrimack—Genealogy of the family—Noted family connections—Prominence in church and State—The family residences—Birthplace of Zachariah—Inherited traits—A strong, self-reliant boy—His school-days—One term as teacher—Work on the farm—Military experience—Clerk in a store—His journey Westward—Affection for the old town—Some of Bedford's emigrants. | [31] |
| CHAPTER III. | |
| Removal to Michigan—Mercantile Success—Business Investments. | |
| Business start in Detroit—The cholera epidemic—Caring for the sick—Characteristics of the young business man—Nearest approach to an assignment—Pushing his business—Visits to the interior—Strong friendships—His young clerk and successor—Commercial integrity and sagacity—Accumulation of property—Helping the Government credit—Incorruptibility as a Legislator. | [44] |
| CHAPTER IV. | |
| The Panorama of Northwestern Development. | |
| Early explorations of the Lakes—A mission at the Sault—Passage of the Strait—First settlement at Detroit—Steam navigation upon the Lakes—Organization of the Territory—An imperial domain—Detroit in 1833—Marvelous development of a great City and State—Statistics of 1879. | [54] |
| CHAPTER V. | |
| The Commencement of Political Activity—Record as an Anti-Slavery Whig. | |
| A conspicuous figure in politics—Lewis Cass, his career and characteristics—A strong contrast—Mr. Chandler as a Whig—A sinewy worker at the polls—The Crosswhite case—Making a firm friend—Nomination and election for Mayor—A sharp campaign—Invitation to Kossuth—Nominated for Governor—An energetic but unsuccessful canvass—First nomination for the Senate. | [71] |
| CHAPTER VI. | |
| The Formation of the Republican Party. | |
| The Compromises of 1820 and 1850—Annexation of Texas—Calhoun's farewell—Profound Northern indignation—Memorable debates in Congress—"Free Democrat" action in Michigan—Public anti-slavery meetings and private conferences—The Whig Convention at Kalamazoo—Steps toward union—A stirring address—"Under the Oaks" at Jackson—A notable convention—Formation of the Republican party—A ringing platform—The first of a series of uninterrupted successes—Work of Mr. Chandler in the campaign. | [89] |
| CHAPTER VII. | |
| The First Election to the Senate. | |
| Work in the campaign of 1856—The National Conventions—Aid in making Michigan radical—Republican success in that State—An earnest Senatorial canvass—Mr. Chandler nominated over Mr. Christiancy and others—His election—Composition of the Thirty-fifth Congress—Subsequent career of his associates. | [119] |
| CHAPTER VIII. | |
| The Development of the Southern Conspiracy—The Election of Abraham Lincoln. | |
| Preparations for Disunion—Imbecility of the Administration—Gloomy forebodings—Mr. Chandler's first prepared address—A vigorous and unanswerable speech—The Dred Scott decision—The John Brown raid—A warning to traitors—Denunciation of treason—Personal peril—Giving "satisfaction" to Southern "gentlemen"—Mr. Chandler not to be bullied—The Chandler, Cameron and Wade compact. | [133] |
| CHAPTER IX. | |
| Services to the Cause of the Protection of Home Industry. | |
| Beneficence of "The American System"—Reply to the "mud-sill" speech—Defense of free Northern labor—Review of the tariff controversy—The Morrill tariff of 1861—Modifications proposed in 1867—The priceless value of the skilled mechanic. | [151] |
| CHAPTER X. | |
| Services to Northwestern Commercial Interests and the Cause of Internal Improvements. | |
| The Committee on Commerce as first organized—Unavailing protests—Mr. Chandler's first speech in the Senate—The St. Clair Flats improvement—A defeat and significant prophecy—The work, its cost and value—Mr. Chandler a member and then Chairman of the Committee on Commerce—The wide scope of that committee's labors—One-half of the entire amount expended by the United States for rivers and harbors appropriated during Mr. Chandler's chairmanship. | [164] |
| CHAPTER XI. | |
| The Outbreak of the Rebellion—No Compromise of Constitutional Rights. | |
| First formal step of secession—Buchanan's "No coercion" message—Organization of the Southern Confederacy—Mr. Chandler opposes compromise—Thwarting the plots of rebel leaders—Securing the appointment of Secretary Stanton—Unwritten reminiscences—Denunciation of traitors and imbeciles—The proposed Peace Congress—The "blood-letter" and its justification. | [182] |
| CHAPTER XII. | |
| The Commencement of the Civil War. | |
| President Lincoln's arrival in Washington—Mr. Chandler's advice as to the Cabinet—Conciliatory character of the inaugural—An illustration of Southern perfidy—Surrender of Fort Sumter—A Detroit meeting—"But one sentiment here"—Reception of Michigan men in Washington—Visit to Fortress Monroe—Crossing the Potomac—Proposed confiscation of rebel property—"Two parties in the country, patriots and traitors"—Vindication of Michigan's record—An advance movement urged. | [201] |
| CHAPTER XIII. | |
| The Committee on the Conduct of the War. | |
| The disaster at Ball's Bluff—A committee of inquiry proposed by Mr. Chandler—Organization of the Committee on the Conduct of the War—Opposition and subsequent co-operation of the Administration—Confidential Relations with President Lincoln and Secretaries Cameron and Stanton—Laying out work—Mr. Chandler's great speech against McClellan—Distrust of McClellanism in politics—The Fitz-John Porter case—Last work of the committee. | [215] |
| CHAPTER XIV. | |
| The Vigorous Prosecution of the War. | |
| The political reverses of 1862—The "Union movement" in Michigan—Re-election of Senator Chandler—Proposition to arm the colored people—The Fremont proclamation and the Hunter order—Opposition to the colonization schemes—Influence with the Secretary of War—The Trent affair—Aid to Michigan soldiers in the Washington hospitals—"We must accept no compromise." | [250] |
| CHAPTER XV. | |
| The Presidential Campaign of 1864. | |
| The political and military successes of 1863—The Cleveland convention—Nomination of Fremont and Cochrane—Renomination of Abraham Lincoln—Resignation of Secretary Chase—Peace negotiations at Niagara Falls—The Wade-Davis manifesto—Nomination of McClellan—Mr. Chandler's conferences with the disaffected Republicans—Resignation of Postmaster-General Blair—Withdrawal of the Fremont ticket—An overwhelming political triumph. | [263] |
| CHAPTER XVI. | |
| The Administration of Andrew Johnson—Reconstruction and Impeachment. | |
| The Assassination of President Lincoln—The War Committee meet President Johnson—Revengeful disposition of the new Executive—Legal questions in reference to the trial of traitors—An important paper by Benjamin F. Butler—A practicable method for prosecuting Jeff Davis—Change of sentiment in President Johnson—He abandons the party that elected him—Development of his "policy"—Hindrance to successful reconstruction—The impeachment resolutions and trial—Disappointment of Mr. Chandler at the failure to convict—General work in the Thirty-ninth and Fortieth Congresses. | [279] |
| CHAPTER XVII. | |
| The Presidency of General Grant—The Republican Congressional Committee. | |
| Work in the campaign of 1868—Mr. Chandler's re-election to the Senate—The Fifteenth Amendment and the Civil Rights bill—Edwin M. Stanton's death and the fund for his family—Mr. Chandler's opposition to Southern war claims—His purchase of the Confederate archives—The value of these documents—Election of Senator Ferry—Mr. Chandler's fidelity to his friends—His denunciation of Southern outrages—His comparison of the two parties—His defense of President Grant against Charles Sumner's attacks—The "Salary Grab" opposed by Senator Chandler and his colleague—The Republican Congressional Committee and its efficient work—Intimacy between Mr. Chandler and James M. Edmunds—The latter's usefulness. | [298] |
| CHAPTER XVIII. | |
| The Maintenance of a Sound Currency and the Public Faith. | |
| Condition of the government credit in 1861—The first issue of "greenbacks"—Mr. Chandler's opposition to any increase in the amount—Taxation recommended as a substitute—Opposition to the taxation of national bonds—Arguments for payment in coin of the "greenbacks" and bonds—Advocacy of the national bank system—The panic of 1873—Resistance to every measure of inflation—Mr. Chandler's speeches in January and February, 1874—The Resumption act. | [319] |
| CHAPTER XIX. | |
| Secretary of the Interior in the Cabinet of President Grant. | |
| Political reverses of 1874—The contest in Michigan a complicated one—Republican success by a narrow margin—A close Legislature—Resistance to Mr. Chandler's re-election—His pronounced success in his party caucus—A combination of a few Republicans with the Democrats elects Judge Christiancy—Like results elsewhere—Mr. Chandler's confidence—"A candidate for that seat"—Letter to the Republican members of the Legislature—A seeming calamity proves to be a benefit—Appointment as Secretary of the Interior—Changes in the personnel of the Department—How Alonzo Bell became Chief Clerk—The first blow falls—An entire room closed as a measure of "practical reform"—Purification of the Bureau of Indian Affairs—"The most valuable men" suddenly dismissed—Order against the "Indian attorneys"—President Grant's support—Changes in the Bureau of Pensions and the General Land Office—Mr. Chandler's admirable executive qualities recognized—Anecdotes of his Cabinet service—Fighting the patronage-seekers—A cowardly informer—A head to the Department—An investigation that failed—"Pumping a dry well"—Close of Mr. Chandler's term—Tributes of Secretary Schurz to the practical efficiency of his predecessor. | [337] |
| CHAPTER XX. | |
| The Presidential Election of 1876—At Home—The Marsh Farm near Lansing. | |
| Mr. Chandler made Chairman of the National Republican Committee—His original confidence in the result—Apathy in the West—Aid to Ohio—The closeness of the contest apparent—Measures to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat—Mr. Chandler's firm attitude during the remainder of the contest—Its great value—Dissent from the "policy" of the new Administration—A Cabinet anecdote—Mr. Chandler retires to private life—A visit to the Pacific coast—Other extended trips—The marsh farm near Lansing, Michigan—An important experiment in the reclamation of wet lands—Mr. Chandler's "expensive theory"—The method of drainage explained and illustrated in detail—Successful results of the earlier experiments in cultivation—General farm equipment—Houses, barns and stock—Relaxation at the farm—Mr. Chandler's correspondence—The answering of every letter his rule—The power of his oratory—Terse sentences, Saxon words, and brief speeches his aim—The sincerity and honesty of the man—The strength of his friendships—His hearty social qualities—His Washington and Detroit residences described—Narrow escape from a serious accident in 1858—Mr. Chandler's family—His domestic happiness—His wife and daughter his sole heirs. | [356] |
| CHAPTER XXI. | |
| The Michigan Election of 1878—Mr. Chandler's Return to the Senate—"The Jeff. Davis Speech." | |
| Development of "Greenback" strength in the West—Resolute resistance in Michigan to the spread of financial heresy—Mr. Chandler leads the Republican battle—A great victory—It is followed by his fourth election to the Senate—He takes his seat in time to answer rebel eulogies in the Senate on Jeff. Davis—His brief and telling response—It strikes the chord of patriotic feeling—The popular response—The "extra session" of 1879—Mr. Chandler's last Congressional speech. | [374] |
| CHAPTER XXII. | |
| The Campaign of 1879—Mr. Chandler's Last Days—Death and Funeral. | |
| Mr. Chandler at the front in the political contests of 1879—He is greeted by a popular ovation—His name urged for the Republican presidential nomination in 1880—Grant his own choice—Work affects his strong constitution—His Chicago speech—Dead in his bed at the Grand Pacific Hotel on Nov. 1, 1879!—The national grief—Funeral and burial. | [386] |
| APPENDIX. | |
| ZACHARIAH CHANDLER'S LAST SPEECH: Delivered in McCormick Hall, in the City of Chicago, on October 31, 1879. | |
| THE DORIC PILLAR OF MICHIGAN: A Memorial Address, Delivered in the Fort Street Presbyterian Church, Detroit, on November 27, 1879, by the Rev. A. T. Pierson, D.D. | |