Zachariah Chandler: An Outline Sketch of His Life and Public Services
History
Zachariah Chandler: An Outline Sketch of His Life and Public Services
Chandler, Zachariah, 1813-1879; United States -- Politics and government
Mr. Chandler's term as Mayor continued for one year, but was devoid of
especial incident, although even now some interest will be felt in this
official letter to Kossuth, which the Hungarian patriot answered with a
note of regretful declination:
DETROIT, January 10, 1852.
_To his Excellency Louis Kossuth_:
DEAR SIR: By resolution of the Common Council, it becomes my
pleasing duty to invite you to visit the city of Detroit and
partake of its hospitalities. Much as we esteem you personally,
highly as we appreciate your public and private worth, it is not
to these alone that we do homage, but to the great principles
which you advocate. We hail you as the champion of republicanism
in Europe, as God's instrument in arousing throughout the world
a hatred of despotism, as a man who has sacrificed his all, and
offers his life upon the altar of liberty, as a teacher of "even
bayonets to think." We, sir, have not been disinterested spectators
of your glorious struggle for Hungarian independence. We watched
with most intense interest the commencement and progress of that
sanguinary conflict. When we saw the people rising in their might,
the nobleman and citizen vieing with each other in devotion to
their country's cause, emulous in sufferings and sacrifices, under
such a leader, we felt that victory must crown your exertions;
and when we saw the elements of Despotism uniting to crush this
(to them) detested spirit of Freedom, when we saw the temporary
triumphs of your oppressors, we felt that all was not lost--that
the Almighty Ruler of the Universe would neither leave nor forsake
you in your low estate, that the days of despotism were numbered.
Again would I invite you to visit Detroit and partake of its
hospitalities. Again would I assure you of our deep sympathy for
your down-trodden country, and I hazard nothing by the assertion
that that sympathy will manifest itself in a tangible form. Whether
our government will act in your behalf as a government, is not for
me to say; whether it would be proper for it to do so, is not for
me to discuss at this time. But that you have the deep sympathy of
our entire population is manifest to all.
With great respect, I have the honor to be your obedient servant,
ZACHARIAH CHANDLER,
_Mayor of the City of Detroit_.
At the conclusion of Mr. Chandler's term as Mayor the Common Council of
Detroit, by unanimous vote, spread upon its records this resolution:
_Resolved by the Common Council of the City of Detroit_, That in
retiring from the office of chief magistrate of this city the
Hon. Zachariah Chandler, by his urbanity, fidelity and zeal in
the discharge of his official duties for the past year, merits
the admiration and respect of the Council, and that in retiring
to private life he carries with him our cordial wishes for his
happiness and prosperity.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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