Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-02-17
Dailu Kennebrr Journal.
SENATOR RLAlNE'S
EulOgy Cp0n the Late Senator Chandler.
DnLivrREp ~ rnE L. s. SENATE, JASrAHv.
1880

men. reared in a State which has shed lustre
on her commonwealths by the gin Of her ma
tive born and native bred. She
gave Webster TO Massachusetts,, Chief
Justice Chase to Ohio, General
Dix 10 New York, and Horace Greeley TO
the head of American journalism.
Mr. Chandler left New Hampshire before
he attained his majority. and with limited
pecuniary resources sought n home in the in
viting territory of the Northwest. He had
great physical strength. with strong powers
of endurance, possessed energy that could
not be oyertaxed, was gifted with courage ot
a high order. was imbued with principles
which throughout his life were intiexihle, was
intelligent and well instructed, and was IN
all respects equipped for career in the great
and splendid region where he lived and grew
and strengthened and prospcred and died.
For a long period following the second war
with great Britain the Territory Of Michigan
was governed by one of the most persuasive
of American statesmen. and whose pure and
honorable life, whose grace and kindness OF
manner, and whose almost unlimited power
in what was then a remote frontier Territory,
had enabled him to ihold the vast majority
of the early settlers to his own political
views When Mr. Chandler reached Detroit
General Cass had left the scene Of his long
reign--for reign it might well be called--to
assume control of the War Department np-
der one of the stronges, administrations that
ever governed the country.
Mr.. CnANpLsR's STRONG CONVICTIONS.
The great majority of young men Mt twenty
wears of age naturally drfted with current
that was so strong. but Mr.. Chandler had in
heritcd certain political principles which were
strengthened by his own convictions ~ he
grew to manhood, and he took his stand ut
a.. L., Il In
from the outset strong power in the politi-
cal field, though not until his maturer years,
with fortune attained and the harder strug-
giles of life crowned with victory. would he
consent to hold any public position, but he
was in all office conflicts which ragged for
twenty wears. and which ended In changing
the political mastery of the State. II is not
matter of wonder that personal cstrange-
ments occurred in such prolonged and bit
ter controversy, without, indeed, the loss of
mutual respect. and in one of the most excit-
ing periods of the struggle, General Cass
spoke publicly of not enjoying the honor Of
Mr.. Chambers acquaintance. II was just
three wears afterward, as Mr.. Chandler de-
lighted to tell with good-natured and pardon
able boasting. that he carried TO General Cass
letter of introduction from the Governor of
Michigan which so impressed the General that
he caused it to be publicly read in this chamber
and placed an the permanent files Of the Sem
ate. 1t is to the honor of both these great
men that complete cordially of friendship was
restored. and that in the hours Of Supreme
peril to the Nation which came soon after,
General Cass and Mr.. Chandler stood side by
side in maintaining the union Of the States
by the exercise ofthe war power ofthe Govern
ment. They sleep their last sleep in the same
beautiful cemetery near the city which was so
Al.
each did so much TO honor, and on the shores
of the lakes whose commercial dcvclopcment
spanned by their lives, had been SO greatly
promoted by their efforts.
HIS EARLY SENATORIAL ASSOCIATES.
The anti-slavery agitation which broke
forth with such strength in 1854, following
the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, met
Vs. it'll partial reaction soon after, and in 1856
Mr.. Buchanan was chosen to the Presidency.
Mr. Chandler took his seat for the first time
in this body on the day Of Mr.. Buchanan's
Inauguration. 1t was the first public station
he had ever held except the Mayoralty Of
| Detroit for single term, and the first 10
which he had ever been u candidate, except
| in 1862 he consented To be the forlorn hope
| of the Wings in the contest for the Governor
| Of Michigan. When he entered the Senate
the democratic party bore undisputed sway In
this chamber, having more than tw0-thirds Of
the entire body. The party was led by reso-
lutte. aggressive, able, uncompromising men
who played for a high stake, and who played
| the bold game of those who were will
ling to cast all upon the hazard Of the die.
The party in opposition to which Mr.. Chan
dler belonged was weak in numbers, but
strong in character, intellect and influence.
Seward. with his philosophy Of optimism, his
deep study in the working of political forces
| and his affincncc Of rhetoric was its accepted
leader. lie was upheld and sustained By
Sumner with his wealth Of learning and his
burning zeal for the right; by Fesscnden,
less philosophic than Seward, less learned
than Sumner, but more logical and skilled
at fence than either; by Wade, who in mettle
and makeup WAS Cromwellian, who, had he
lived in the days Of the Commonwealth,
wonld have fearicssly followed the Protector
in the expulsion Of an illegal Parliament or
drawn the sword Of the Lord and Gideon tn
smite hip and thigh the Amalckites. who ap.
peared anew in the persons Of the Cavaliers
by Collamer. wise, learned, pure and digni-
ied-a Conscript Father in look and in fact
by John p. Hale, who never faltered in his
devotion to the aHti-slavery cause, and who
had earlier than any Of his associates, broken
his alliance with the old parties and given his
eloquent voice to the cause of the dcspised
Nazarenes; by Trumbull, capable, untiring,
the first republican Senator from that greai
State which has since added so much to the
grandeur and glory of our history; by Ham
lin, with long training, with devoted fidelity
with undaunted courage, who came anew Il
the conflict Of ideas with State behind him
with its faith. and in its force, and who above
all the illustrious Senate of 1857 il with NJ
to-day; by Cameron, with wide and varied
experience in affairs, with consumate tact In
} the government ofparties who active political
life began in the days Of Monroe, and who
after prolonged and stormy career still sur.
wives BY reason Of strength ct fourscore, with
the strong attachment Of his friends, the re-
spect Of his opponents. the hearty good wish
e. Of all-into association with these men Mr.
Chandler entered when in his forty-fourtl
: year.
HIS GREAT INFLUENCE.
His influence was felt, and felt powerfully
from the first day. A writer q the time sal
that the effect Of Chandlers coming was lik
Z the addition Of : fresh division Of troops 3
an army engaged in hand-tO-hand eon6is
with IN oufnumbering foe. He enconragei
= Confined on Fourth Paes.)