He was much
shocked and disgusted when Judge Hoar wanted to inquire further
concerning a man whom he had recommended for the office of
Judge of the Circuit Court. The Judge said something about
asking Reuben Rice, a friend he highly respected who had lived
long in Michigan. Chandler spoke of it afterward and said:
"When Jake Howard and I recommended a man, the Attorney-
General wanted to ask a little railroad fellow what he thought
of him."
He joined with Conkling and Carpenter and Edmunds in their
opposition to the confirmation of Judge Hoar. He came to
know the Judge better afterward and declared that he himself
had made a mistake.
He was a strong pillar of public faith, public liberty, and
of the Union. He had great faults. But without the aid
of the men whom he could influence and who honored him, and
to whom his great faults were as great virtues, the Union
never would have been saved, or slavery abolished, or the
faith kept. I hold it one of the chief proofs of the kindness
of divine Providence to the American people in a time of very
great peril that their leaders were so different in character.
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