Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-02-17
fcontinusd from rir.. Page. j


a hopeless minority. where sense Of common
LANCER, banishnen: ami rivalry, checked
Jealousy, toned dos ambition, and produced
that effect Of harmony, Of splendid discipline,
shich won the most signal and fsr-reaching
# all our political victories IN the election Of
Sbraliam Lincoln TO the Presidency. Changed
BY this triumph. and the startling events
which followed, into a majority party in the
Senate, the republicans found many Of their
oldest and ablest leaders trained only 10 the
duties Of the minority, and not ittedt TO assume
with grace and efsciency the duties Of admin
istratiye leadership. They had been 80 long
Studying the science Of attack that they we're
awkward when they felt the need and assumed
the responsibility of defence. They, ike
some Of the British regiments in the campaign
Of Orange, said there was no fortress u the
French which could re.i-, them, and zone
that ~as safe in their hands. Is was from
this period that Mr. Chandler became more
widely known 20 the whole country, achiey-
ing almost al a single bound what term
National reputation. Hi, defiant attitude
in the presence 81 the impending and over
wbelming danger Of war: biz superb courage
under all the doubts and reyerse- Of that ter
riblf struggle between brethren Of the same
blood his readiness TO do all things, To dare
all things to endure all thing. for the sake Of
Hr. f.incolns Administration IN every war
measure which they proposed; his quickne-s
to take issue with the Administration when he
thought great campaign was about to be
rnined by What termed the Fabyan policy:
his inspiring presence. his burning zeal, ins
sleepless sigileBCe, his broad sympa'hics, his
prompt decision. his eager patriotism. bis
erowning faith in the final result, all com
bined 10 give 10 Mr.. Chandler front rank
among those honorable and devoted men who
in our war history are entitled TO stand next
10 those who lead the mighty conflict on the
field u battle. To portray Mr.. Cbandler'-
service for the ten consecutive years after the
war closed. would involve too close refer
enee to exciting questions still in some sense
NJ issue.
4 CONSTANT iNrELLECrrAL GROWTH.
Ia that long period of service and in the
shorter one that Immediately preceded hi,
death, those who knew him well conid OBJ
serve constant intellectual grow til. He
was fuller and stronger and ADLER in confer
'nce and in debate the last year of hs life
than ever before. Ne entered the Senate
originally without any practice in pariia-
fUeniary discussion. He left IL one of the
most forcible AMI most fearless antagonists
that could be encountered in this Chamber.
His methods were learned here. lie was
plain and yet eloquent aggressive AMI yet
careful. fearless without showing hravado.
What he knew he knew with precision. The
powers hc possessed were always Mt his com
mand and he never declined challenge to the
lsts. "iIcrc and now" was his motto, and
his entire Senatorial career and his life. in
decd outside. sccmcI guided bv that spirit of
bravery which the greatest OF american SEN
ators exhibited. in the only boast he ever
made when he quoted to Mr.. Calhoun. the
classic defiance, "CoacU1rifar horae momeHfO
cNamcys rant 0W rtcfOfio iaitd
Mr.. Chandler fame was enlarged by his
successful administration of an important
Cabinet position Called hv President
Grant to the head of the Interior Depart
mont h. teleRrrphie summons. he accepted
without reluctance and without distrust His
eighteen years OF positive and uncomproms
ing course in the Senate hid borne the incvi-
table fruit of many eumiiies. n well rs the
rich reward Of countless friends. The APP
p0intmcnt was severely criticised and I'M
sparngly condemned bv many who a year la
ter were sufficiently Just and magnanmous
to Withdraw their harsh words aud bear gen
erous testimony to his executive ability, his
painstaking industry md his unhcxibc In
tegritv TO his admirable talent for thorough
organization and to his prompt and graceful
dispatch of public business. What his
friends had before known 81 his character and
his capacity, the change of lew brief months
IN an administrative position had revealed 10
the cntirc country AMI had placed in history
A Mas or Gs>sRors NNrrsr.
I, would not he Just even in the generous
indulgence conceded to eulogy 20 speak of
Mr.. Chandler rs a man without faults But
assurcdly no encmv, il there bc one above
his lifeless form. will ever say that he had
mean faults they were all on the generous
and larger side of his nature. In amassing
his prncclv fortune he never cxaCted the
pound of flesh, he never ground the faces of
the poor. he was never even harsh to an hon
est debtor unable to paw. Ills wealth came
90 him through his own great ability. devo-
ted with unrcmittng industry for a third of a
century To- honorable trade. IN that cnlarginy
cver-cxpandng region whose capacities and
resources he was among the earliest to fore
see. and 10 appreciate. To his friends Mir
Chandler was tlcvotclIv true Like Colonel
Benton. he did not use the word friend"
lightly and without meaning. nor did he ever
pretend to he friendly to a man whom he did
not like. lie never dissemhled. To des-
crihe him in the plain and vigorous Saxon
which he spoke himself. he was true
friend. hard hitter. an honest ha,er"
In that inner circle of home life, sacred al
most from reference. Mr.. Chandler was
chivalric in devotion. inexhanstihlc IN aifec-
ton. and exceptionally happy in all his re-
iatious. Whatever of stcrnacss there was in
his character. whatever of roughness in his
iemeanor, whatever of irritahility in his tenn
per. were one and all laid aside when he sat
ut his own hear;hstone. or dispensed grace
tul and generous hospitality to uunumbered
guests. There he was seen At his best and
there his friends best love to recall him. As
Burke said of Lord kcppcl. he was wild
stock of pride which the tcnderest of
hearts had grated the milder virtues
A sage whose words have comfortcd many
generations Of men tells US that when death
comes every one can see its dcplorahlc and
grievous side; only the wise can see causes
for reconcilement. Let us be wise TODAY
celebrate the memory ola man who stood on
the confines of aye without once feeling its
weakness or realizing its decay. who passed
sixty-six wears in this world without losing a
single dav of mental activity or physical
strength AMI who had a business career of
great length and unbroAen prosperity, Who
had attained in public life fourth election To
the Senate OF the United States an honor en-
Joycd by fewer men in the Republic than
even its chief rulcrship. and who strengthen
ing with his wears stood higher in the re-
gard at his countrymen, stronger with his
constituency. nearer 90 his friends and dear
or to his kindred. at the close of his career
than on any preceding day of his eventual