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��THE GRANITE MONTHLY.
��best. This is one great reason why he is so trusted a leader in his country, so influential a citizen in his own state, and courted, and quoted, and counted upon everywhere that sound principle is at stake. Integrity is a crown jewel. Honesty is the highest and noblest element of human character, — honesty of purpose and action, purity of thought and mind, square dealing with one's fellow-men, a scrupulous uprightness in all the thousand-and- one petty details of a busy life, and a strict and constant adherence to truth and rectitude, whether in public or private. But in him honesty is set off by and has the advantage of an intel- lect that rises at times almost to the level of genius, for as precocious lad at school, as astute lawyer at the bar, or as commanding statesman in the clustered head of the present national administration, William E. Chandler has developed and displayed an intui- tive keenness of discernment, a re- markable clearness of judgment, a con- ciseness of statement, and an almost supernatural aptitude for leadership, that have at once pressed him into the front ranks of those with whom he has been associated.
With unflinching integrity and sur- passing ability, Mr. Chandler has com- bined the very best practical sense and a thorough knowledge of human nature in all its different phases. His circle of acquaintances is very exten- sive ; he has friends in every clime, and knows more men personally, prob- ably, than any other man in America. When New Hampshire shall some day be asked, as she should be asked, and as we predict she will be asked, to present another name for the presi- dency of the United States, the name of William E. Chandler will be first to spring into expression as an available and worthy candidate, and will find almost unanimous echo in the hearts and sentiments of the Republican ma- jority of his state.
Chandler has made mistakes. Who has not ? But they did not crush him, nor subdue his enthusiasm. He rose
��triumphant above them, and profited by their experience. He has faults. Who has not ? But he wears them all upon his sleeve. His private charac- ter is unassailable and above reproach. There is no shade of suspicion upon the sterling qualities of his high man- hood, and the detractors of his public career have been few, and quickly dis- credited without even the pretence of denial.
He is a contentious man, — conten- tious for what he believes to be the right. If you have him with you, he is a host in himself; but if he be ar- rayed against your cause, he is sure to be the central figure of the opposition, and you must beware of his bold, rap- id advances. Such is the vehemence of his impulsive nature and the ardor of his temperament that he is a parti- san to any cause that wins his sympa- thy, but no man is quicker to bury the hatchet, and to forgive and forget, when the contest is over. He is a splendid fighter, but is supreme at reconciliation.
His characteristic frankness is a charm that contributes more than a little to his personal popularity. He has a directness of purpose and a firm- ness of execution that does not mis- lead you as to his objects. He is not politic ; he never strove to bask in the sunshine of popular favor ; he is not easily swayed by the clamor of a crowd ; but has kept steadily on in the straight path of his own convic- tions of duty. More than once he has seemed to stand in his own light, and more than once the people have re- turned to his leadership, after wander- ing from what he had defined to be the right course. He is no mere place-hunter. Whenever he has held offices it was the office that sought the man. He never was enamored of sounding titles and official positions, and has held only few, and solicited none. As a public man only, his wide- reaching influence has been felt, and his present elevation was attained by force of sheer ability, and by acknowl- edged integrity, rather than by the
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