Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 6.djvu/50

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��THE GRANITE MONTHLY.

��At Washington, Mr. Chandler is a prominent personage, whose acquaint- ance is eagerly sought, whose friend- ship is highly valued, and whose influ- ence is proverbially potent. He has always conducted himself upon the highest scale of principle, and acted up to a conscientious regard for the rights of others. The inside history of his political experience would fill a volume more startling in incident than any work of fiction, more dramatic in surprises and expediences than any theatrical play. He has been severe- ly criticised at times, and the public may now and then have been in the dark as to his ultimate motives, but we believe that he has always been actu- ated by a clear sense within himself of right and justice. He holds the opin- ions of others in uncommon respect, and his charity for their failures is a fitting cloak wherein to shroud any errors of judgment into which he may have fallen. His associations are with the most reputable and distinguished of men. He is a moral, upright man, with religious predilections, who hates vice and indolence as he does a pesti- lence. A true patriot, an advanced thinker, a vigorous writer, and a strong, clear, argumentative and interesting speaker. He is in mien and mind a statesman, a scholar, and a gentleman. He is one of those positive, advanc- ing, unflinching, fearless natures that may not be understood and appreci- ated by all men, diversified and differ- ent in taste and disposition as we are; and if it should be said that we have drawn this sketch in the enthusiasm of strong personal attachment and admi- ration, we should plead guilty, but should still assert that he is a rare man, one above ten thousand, one of na- ture's noblemen. The newspaper press teems with glowing reports of his ex- cellencies. It must be remembered, too, that we write in the atmosphere of his native city, where he holds a warm place in the hearts of the people who will not think him undeserving of our earnest words of commendation and praise. We should be pleased to break

��from generalities and recite some per- sonal reminiscences, and characteristic ami historic incidents in his busy life, but they hardly fall within the scope of this article. We feel that we can not have far overstepped a true general estimate of the man, inasmuch as another has spoken of him in these words :

"I must add a few words appreciative of the character of one whom as a boy and man I have known for forty years. In his personal habits Mr. Chandler is above reproach, — pure in speech as in action, — with a mind quick to perceive, prompt to execute, and comprehensive in its scope. He is a man with convictions and the courage to express and maintain them. He has never sought advancement by flat- tery or pandering to prejudice. Those who know him best have the most faith in his integrity. The best evi- dence of it is the fact that in twenty- five years of aggressive political life, while occupying positions of tempta- tion, and criticising freely the action of men who forgot their moral obliga- tions or were shirking their official duties to the detriment of the public good, no one of them has been able to connect him with personal dishonesty, corrupt practice in official life, or polit- ical treachery, or double-dealing. His methods are direct, positive, systematic, exact, and logical. The positions he has held have all come to him in rec- ognition of his ability and earnest efforts in serving the cause he espouses."

William E. Chandler was born in Concord, New Hampshire, on the 28th day of December, 1835. He was the second son of Nathan S. and Mary A. Chandler, of that city. He attended the public schools of Concord, and was an apt, bright scholar from the outset of his studentship. He learned with an avidity that surprised his eld- ers. He had a wonderful memory of facts and early showed an ambition, which has characterized his after life, to surpass all competitors in the race. He excelled in various studies. Al- though an uneasy, mischievous boy,

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