n the long discussion on
the Army Bill he made a brief speech, which for force and point
excelled any of his previous efforts. In the campaigns of the ensuing
summer and autumn he was invited to almost every Northern State, and
exerted himself for too long a period. He died suddenly at Chicago on
the night of November 1, after having addressed a vast audience in the
evening. He had nearly completed his sixty-sixth year, and was
apparently in the vigor of life. His active political career embraced
about twenty-five years, and was added to a business life of unusual
industry and prosperity. The appreciation of his public character and
the strong attachment of his personal friends were shown in the
eulogies pronounced in both Senate and House. At the moment of his
death, Mr. Chandler had no doubt the most commanding political position
he ever held. He was a man of strong intellect, strong will, and
rugged integrity.

For the first time since the Congress that was chosen with Mr. Buchanan
in 1856, the Democratic party was in control of both branches. In the
House, with their Greenback allies, they had more than thirty majority;
in the Senate they had six. But under a Republican President they
were able to do little more than they had already effected with their
control of the House. With one branch they could hold in check any
legislation to which they were opposed, and even with the control of
both branches, if they fell short of two-thirds in either they could be
checked in any legislation which was in conflict with the
Constitutional views and opinions of the President. There was,
however, a certain line of legislation to which the mass of Republicans
might be opposed, and which might at the same time harmonize with the
conservative views of the President. And this they could accomplish.

The main point of difference which had caused the failure of the Army
Bill in the previous Congress was an amendment insisted upon by the
Democratic majority in the House concerning "the use of troops at the
polls," as the issue was popularly termed. It would be unjust to the
Republicans to say that they demanded military aid with the remotest
intention of controlling any man's vote. It was solely with the
purpose of preventing voters from being driven by violence from the
polls. But as has been already set forth in these pages, public
opinion in the United States is hostile to any thing that even in
appearance indicate