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.