, 1879-11-24
What Makes n Statesman.

The Milwaukee Sentinel, the leading
Republican organ of Wisconsin, sums up.
the public character of the late Senator
| Chandler as follows:
He never rose above party. but he
also never sank below it. While he never
considered the welfare of the country
aside from the party. be also never con-
sidered his own welfare ut the expense
OF the party. He was never accused of a
selfish act, of sacrificing the interests of
the party to his private aims. If he ever
did urscrupulous things it was for the
party and not for himself. and under the
belief that any means were justified by
the defeat of the Democratic party which
he hated with his whole heart"
This is undoubtedly the best that can
truthfully be said of the distinguished
Senator, and that leaves him considera-
bly, short of great statesman; in fact,
no mar who views every public measure
from an exclusive party stand point can
ever become great statesman, hardly
reliable patriot; for craftsmanship often
requires concession and compromise, and
patriotism the suhordination of party to
country. Chandler could do neither
President Hays happily said; He serves
his party best who best serves his coun-
try" Chandler regarded his country
as not worth saving without his party
ascendancy was assured. Without
little bloed letting the Unisn is not
worth preserving" was one of his public
declarations. This was pending the Peace
Congress called for by the State of Vir-
ginia, endorsed by Secretary Seward in
behalf Of the Lincoln Administration and
supported by the conservative elements
of both sections, North and South, then
representing large majority of the pop
ular vote of the country, and was defeat
ed by the uncompromlsing opposition of
the radicals on either side cooperating to
that end one side avowing hostility to
to union with aboltioaists. Thus was
the irrepressible conflict long before
announced by Mr.. Seward, brought to
deadly issue against the wishes and So
Der judgment of vast majority of the
American people and the influence of the
Administration, Senator Chandler being
one OF the most prominent figures in de-
feating compromise and melting the
conflict. 1t may be said that the conflict
was inevitable; that the conservative
policy could have only postponed, not
settled, the question at issue, which civil
war alone could determine. That ques-
We are speaking only of the impelling
forces which produced the result.
Senator Chandler belonged to pecu-
liar type of American politicians, of
which Ethan Allen, Israel Putnum, Ben.
Wade and Thad. Stevens were repre-
sentatives; men of large brains, robust
frames, unconquerable will, tireless Wig
ilance and endurance, with small mental
culture aud utterly destitute of the sens
timent of veneration for anything human
or divine; they literally feaerd neither
God, man, nar the devil, nor permitted
their judgments to be influenced by any
feeling of respect for the statesmen who
preceded them, and they inspired no
respect from those with whom they as
sociated. The three latter were uniform
~ spoken of as "Old Zack, "Old Ben"
and I" Old Thad;" nor did their deport-
ment command a greater deference.-
Three rougher men in manner and ap-
pearaace never occupied seats in the
American Congress; they "clothed them
selves with curses as with a garment"
profanity was apparently their vernacu-
lar and was indulged invwith slight re-
gard to the age, sex, feelings or seEti-
ments Of their auditors. They had little
regard to social amenities or social rules
of intercourse, and seemed utterly indif-
erent to the opinions of society. These
general characteristics pertained to all
three. In all their private dealings they
were generally regarded as strictly hon
est, but in politics it was conceded by
their friends that they would do any