First formal step of secession--Buchanan's "No coercion" message--Organization of the Southern Confederacy--Mr. Chandler opposes compromise--Thwarting the plots of rebel leaders--Securing the appointment of Secretary Stanton--Unwritten reminiscences--Denunciation of traitors and imbeciles--The proposed Peace Congress--The "blood-letter" and its justification. 182 CHAPTER XII. THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE CIVIL WAR. President Lincoln's arrival in Washington--Mr. Chandler's advice as to the Cabinet--Conciliatory character of the inaugural--An illustration of Southern perfidy--Surrender of Fort Sumter--A Detroit meeting--"But one sentiment here"--Reception of Michigan men in Washington--Visit to Fortress Monroe--Crossing the Potomac--Proposed confiscation of rebel property--"Two parties in the country, patriots and traitors"--Vindication of Michigan's record--An advance movement urged. 201 CHAPTER XIII. THE COMMITTEE ON THE CONDUCT OF THE WAR. The disaster at Ball's Bluff--A committee of inquiry proposed by Mr. Chandler--Organization of the Committee on the Conduct of the War--Opposition and subsequent co-operation of the Administration--Confidential Relations with President Lincoln and Secretaries Cameron and Stanton--Laying out work--Mr. Chandler's great speech against McClellan--Distrust of McClellanism in politics--The Fitz-John Porter case--Last work of the committee. 215 CHAPTER XIV. THE VIGOROUS PROSECUTION OF THE WAR. The political reverses of 1862--The "Union movement" in Michigan--Re-election of Senator Chandler--Proposition to arm the colored people--The Fremont proclamation and the Hunter order--Opposition to the colonization schemes--Influence with the Secretary of War--The Trent affair--Aid to Michigan soldiers in the Washington hospitals--"We must accept no compromise." 250 CHAPTER XV. THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN OF 1864. The political and military successes of 1863--The Cleveland convention--Nomination of Fremont and Cochrane--Renomination of Abraham Lincoln--Resignation of Secretary Chase--Peace negotiations at Niagara Falls--The Wade-Davis manifesto--Nomination of McClellan--Mr. Chandler's conferences with the disaffected Republicans--Resignation of Postmaster-General Blair--Withdrawal of the Fremont ticket--An overwhelming political triumph. 263 CHAPTER XVI. THE ADMINISTRATION OF ANDREW JOHNSON--RECONSTRUCTION AND IMPEACHMENT.