The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1879-11-07
A BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.

New Hampshire, December 10, 1913, and re
celved an academcal education. He removed
: to Detroit in 1888, and shortly after reaching
that city engaged in the dry goods business
i and IN few years became prosperous mer-
! chant. lie was elected mayor OF the city i'd
1851, and tho next year was the wing nominee
for governor OF Michigan, and the party had
strong hopes OF eectlng him; but tho usual
large democratic majority in the State at that
time was too heavy to be overcome, especially
with 80 strong . candidate as Robert McClel-
land who was the democratic standard-bearer
on the occasion. Mr. Chandler was defeated
although he ran ahead OF his ticket. At the
first senatorial election Tin 1850 after the re-
; publicaus gained majority in the State MIR.
Chandler was elected United States Senator as
republican to succeed Gen. Lewis Cass, DEM
ocrat, and took bis seat in the senate March 4,
1857. Among the distinguished men in the
senate at that time were William Pitt Fessen-
den. Hannibal Hamln, John p. Hale, Charles
Sumner, Henry Wilson, William Fl. Seward,
Wade, r. NJ L. Hunter James NJ. Mason, Da-
vid G. Broderick, Andrew johnson, John j.
Crittenden, John Bell, Stephen A. Douglas,
Sam. Houston, JEFF. Davis, Robert Toombs,
John Slidell aud judah p. Benjamin. In the
house of representatives were Arson Buriin-
game, n p. Banks, f. L. Spinner, Z. ID. Nor
gan, Erasus Corning, Reuben f. Fenton, Ga
lnsha A. Grow, John Covode. Henry Winter
DAVIS, Charles l.. Faulkner, James l.. Orr,
Alex. II. Stephens, l.. Q. c. Lamar. George II.
Pendeton, S. s. Cox. John Sherman, Joshua
r. Gddings, Horace Maynard, Schuyler Col
fax, L. b. Washburne Owen Lovejoy, Francis
2. Blair ir, VIM. A. Howard and John +. Por-
ter. The principal speeches made by Mr.. Chand-
Ter during tue administration OF President Blu
chanan were those in oppo ntion to the adms-
sion OF Kansas under the Lecompton constitu-
ton; in opposition to the annexation Of Cuba
by the United States and in favor of appro-
priations for the construction OF ship canal
through the ST. CLAIR fats. He also made a
vigorous protest against the character Of the
standing committees OF the senate which,
while that body was under democratic control
were generally composed Of Six democrats and
one republican.
Mr. Chandler was reelected to the senate
IN 1868, and again, in 1869, making contnu-
March 4, 1575-coverng period OF the imost
eventfu history OF the country. In December,
1862, he scared the passage OF a resolution by
congress appointing JOINT committee on the
conduct Of the war, consisting OF three senators
and four representatives,, whose first business
was an inquiry into the causes OF the defeat OF
the Union army at Bull Run and Balls Bluff
The char1nanship OF this committee was Of
fered to Mr. Chandler, but he declined it aud
nominated Ben Wade for the position. When
first organized the committee consisted OF
Senators Wade Of Ohio; Chandler, of Michi-
gan Johnson, OF Tennessee Representatives
Gooch, CT Massachusetts, Covode, OF Penn
sylvanla; Julian, of Indiana; and Odell, of
New York. 1t was continued until after the
close Of the war, many changes taking place in
it's composition but Mr. Chandler remaining
member throughout, though always declining
the many times proffered chairmanshlp not
wlthstandDg which, however, he was the guild
ing spirit OF the committee.
As soon as the republicans had gained con-
troll of the senate, Mr.. Chandler was made
chairman OF the committee on commerce, which
position he held until the expiration of LIS
third term in the senate, in March, 1875 when
he was succeeded as senator by Isaac p. Chris
tiancy
Some OF the most energetic war measures
were due to Mr.. Chandlers influence He was
ono of the most earnest supporters Of Presi-
dent Lincoln's administration, as well as that
OF President Grant, and possessed the firm
friendship, esteem and confidence O, both
these Presidents, and Of Edwin NJ. Stanton.
the great war secretary.
! One of the greatest speeches delivered in the
senate by Mr.. Chandler was in relation to the
conduct OF the war; July 16, 1862 Its most
notable feature was his severe criticism OF
Gen. McClollan's career as commander OF the
army of the Potomac, and the persuasion OF
the cautious President Lincoln to order Nc
Clellan to march against the enemy
During all these trying times Senator Chand-
Ter was distinguished for bis close attention to
the duties Of his Office, and was thorough in
vestigator OF all important questions that arose.
He had an utter contempt for the arts Of di-
plomacy and the damaging delays OF "red
tape" and never failed to call . traitor q
"rebel,' or to strike anything be considered
, wrong square on the head. His positiveness
made many enemies; but he cared not for this
, and pressed onward in the course he marked
4 out for himself.
AS one Of President Lincoln's most trusted
:, friends Mr. Chandler sas one Of the commit
!, teo 10 accompany The martyr Presidents re-
mains to his home at Springfield, Ill.
Ia In the senatorial election by the Michigan
~ Legislature re 1876, Senator Chandler was nom
mated by the republicans for a fourth tern
The republican legislative majority that yea