Chapter I: Front Matter

ZACHARIAH CHANDLER:

AN OUTLINE SKETCH

OF

His Life and Public Services.

BY

THE DETROIT POST AND TRIBUNE.

WITH AN INTRODUCTORY LETTER

FROM

JAMES G. BLAINE, OF MAINE.

O iron nerve to true occasion true,
O fall'n at length that tower of strength
Which stood four-square to all the winds that blew!
--_Tennyson._

DETROIT:

THE POST AND TRIBUNE COMPANY, PUBLISHERS.

R. D. S. TYLER & CO., DETROIT.
CHARLES DREW, NEW YORK.
J. M. OLCOTT, INDIANAPOLIS.
TYLER & CO., CHICAGO.
WM. H. THOMPSON & CO., BOSTON.

1880.

ENTERED ACCORDING TO ACT OF CONGRESS, IN THE YEAR 1879, BY

THE DETROIT POST AND TRIBUNE,

IN THE OFFICE OF THE LIBRARIAN OF CONGRESS, AT WASHINGTON.

Electrotyped by
A. W. HABBIN, Detroit.

PRESS OF
WRIGHTON & CO.,
CINCINNATI, O.

TO

THE REPUBLICANS OF MICHIGAN,

WHO SO LONG UPHELD, AND WHO WERE IMPLICITLY TRUSTED BY,

ZACHARIAH CHANDLER,

THIS RECORD OF HIS LIFE IS

DEDICATED.

It is stated elsewhere that this work is written "BY THE DETROIT POST AND TRIBUNE." Unusual as this form of announcement is on the title-pages of books, there certainly may be an authorial as well as an editorial impersonality; in this case the phrase succinctly expresses the fact, namely, that the volume represents the joint labors of the staff of THE POST AND TRIBUNE, alike in the collection and the treatment of its material.

While its preparation has been almost wholly a matter of original research, such use as was necessary has been made of historical data contained in "The Centennial History of Bedford, N. H.," published in 1851, in Horace Greeley's "American Conflict," and in Henry Wilson's "History of the Rise and Fall of the Slave Power."

Needed information has been furnished by those intimately connected with Mr. CHANDLER, but the work has not been submitted to their revision, and they are not responsible for the form of the narrative, nor for the personal estimate it embodies.

This book presents a sketch of the life and the public services of a remarkable man. It has been written from the standpoint of political sympathy, and with the hope of deepening the wholesome influences so powerfully exerted upon public sentiment in his lifetime by ZACHARIAH CHANDLER. The aim has been to make it accurate in statement, and to see that its chapters should fairly draw, in outline at least, the picture of the career of a genuine leader of men.

INTRODUCTORY LETTER.

TO THE EDITORS OF THE POST AND TRIBUNE:

I am unable to give any personal or special incidents in the life of Mr. Chandler not open to his biographers from other sources. I was not so intimate in my relations with him as were some others, nor did I know him better than many others who like myself were associated with him in public life for a long period. I knew him well, however, both on the side of his private life and his public life, and in every phase he was a man of strong character.

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