CHAUNCEY MITCHELL DEPEW.

AS the family indicates, Mr. Depew's ancestors were

French. He comes of that dauntless Hugenot stock whose courage and contempt of danger adorns the pages of religious history, and whose emigration to America, upon the revocation of the "Edict of Nantes," marks an important epoch in the inauguration of our civilization. On his mother's side his lineage may be traced to a no less distinguished source. She was Miss Martha Mitchell, of the celebrated Roger Sherman stock, than which there is no better blood in all New England. Mr. Depew's progenitors on his father's side settled on the Hudson, in New York over two hundred years ago. They were the pioneers of that lovely region, which, it is conceded rivals anything in picturesqueness of like character in Europe. One of the original homesteads of his thrifty ancestors, the birthplace of Mr. Depew, has remained in possession of the family through all the years of mutation and restlessness, characteristic of our peculiar civilization. To this charmed spot made dear by so many decades of cherished memories, Mr. Depew often lovingly alludes. He was born at Peekskill, New York, on the 3d day of April, 1834, which is so romantically situated among the hills on the beautiful river named for the celebrated navigator, Henry Hudson. Here in the quiet of the semi-pastoral region Mr. Depew began his studies, and prepared himself for the demands of a college course. He is remembered by the oldest inhabitants of the place as a remarkably bright youth; one

who was sedate in bearing, and always courteous in manner; as very fond of his books and early developing those characteristics which have made him a great man. That he was a student of rare and persistent industry, is confirmed by the fact that he was graduated by Yale College at the age of eighteen with the highest honors in the gift of that famous institution.

The year 1856, in which young Depew finished his education, saw the inauguration of the Republican party with General John C. Fremont as its initial standardbearer. To the perpetuity of that afterward great conservator of the Nation's integrity, Mr. Depew cast his first vote. Though defeated in its inception, he attached himself to its fortunes, believing in the outcome of its principles, and all through its subsequent triumphs he has been its ardent supporter, devoting his talents and eloquence to the promulgation of its tenets.

Born and reared a Democrat, but well constituted by his liberal education and power of discrimination to decide upon what course to pursue, at the begining of the crisis which was rapidly culminating, he acted promptly. He could find nothing in the ephemeral American party, or Know-Nothingism as its creed was called, with its decidedly un-American narrowness with which he could. affiliate. So there was no place for a man of his liberal nature in such a congregation, for it lacked elements of vitality. The old Whig party had become a thing of the past, he must therefore choose between the Democratic party, and the Republican party which was just donning its swaddling-clothes. He had the political prevision to see that it was to be the inspiration of the century in the guidance of the Nation to prosperity and unity, therefore, his choice was soon made, and he took a prominent part in the discussion of the grave questions forced upon the people by the action of the dominant party in the National councils.

Returning to his ancestral home from Yale crowned with the laurels of collegiate success, he at once entered the office of Honorable William Nelson, where he became a devoted student of the law. In 1856, two years later, he was admitted to the practice. Then, too, he received his first political preferment by having been elected a delegate to the Republican State Convention, of New York, as a reward for the indefatigable energy he had displayed in support of the policy of the now dominant party.

At the commencement of his practice it was demonstrated beyond question, that because of his fine judicial mind he was eminently qualified to attain prominence at the Bar. He was also equally well versed in all the intricacies of politics, so that for a time, at least, the career he had marked out for himself, strict attention to the domain of law was held in abeyance, although the political preferment which came to him was entirely unsought. His numerous friends persuaded him to take an active part in the discussion of the leading questions, affecting the solidity of the Nation. These were in a chaotic state, but the people were deeply interested, and he was impressed with the idea that he owed this duty to the country and the struggling young party, consquently he took the stump in all the great campaigns that marked the early years of the Civil War. As has been very happily stated in a short sketch of his course during those troublous times, which appeared in a small brochure some years ago: "He had inherited from his sturdy Hugenot ancestors a passionate love of liberty, a hatred of oppression in every form, and a courage to champion the cause which his judgment and conscience accepted as just. He had been reared in an atmosphere that was charged with the spirit which animated the men who had won American Independence; his earliest political studies. had led him to regard the doctrine of nullification as a

heresy, as odius in its motive and character as it was destructive in its tendency; and when he stepped into the political arena, he did so with a full conscientiousness of his obligations, and well equipped for the struggle in which his young valor and strength were soon to be tried."

When Abraham Lincoln received the nomination for the Presidency, young Depew took the stump, and during that memorable campaign made many speeches, which were received with enthusiasm by immense audiences in all portions of New York. He was never for a moment tedious in any of his public talks; he was a born orator, who, without any effort, but by natural genius possessed the rare power of entertaining a vast assemblage and keeping it interested to the last word of his discourse. He was logical, clear and eloquent; interspersing his masterly arguments with a humor that was irresistible. His efforts in that exciting canvass were of inestimable worth to the party, and to him a share was due for the results at the polls.

In that eventful year Mr. Depew was nominated for the Assembly, and although the Democrats were in an almost irretrievable ascendency, he was elected by a majority of 259. Bringing with him all those talents which had distinguished him on the stump, his legislative career was so satisfactory that he was returned the next year, and his name was prominently connected with the probabilities of the Speakership. As Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, he was especially effective, and the honor of that position, the most important committee in the House, has rarely been given in charge of so young a legislator. In a biography of the Members of that session, the following is said in relation to Mr. Depew :

"Mr. Depew is one of the ablest members of the Assembly, and bids fair to become a prominent man in

the State. He possesses decided ability, to which may be added a good degree of industry, energy and perseverance. Although looking much older, he is scarcely twenty-nine years of age; but his bearing and business. habits partake more of the character of middle age or even mature years, than of the impetuosity and recklessness of youth. He seems to have reached manhood earlier than usually falls to the lot of mortals; or, if not fully matured, and he improves as rapidly for a few to come as in the past, he may be set down as possessing extraordinary talents. He is, in fact, a venerable young man, a proper associate and companion of men of the preceding generation. His vigor of intellect, too, is in accordance with his appearance, possessing the strength, solidity, and ripeness of middle age."

years

Horatio Seymour was elected Governor of New York, and the Republicans lost their prestige in the great Commonwealth, and the following year Mr. Depew was nominated for Secretary of State as the most available man to reclaim it. He took the stump at the inception of the canvass, and his, popularity was so great, coupled with the brilliancy and effectiveness of his oratory, that he was elected by a majority exceeding 30,000. In that memorable campaign Mr. Depew's powers of endurance were put to the severest test, but he proved equal to the task. He spoke every day for nearly two months, and came out of the terrible ordeal almost as fresh as when he began.

When President Andrew Johnson became the Chief Magistrate of the Nation, recognizing Mr. Depew's abilties and the service he had rendered the party, he determined to make him Collector of the Port of New York, but as Senator Morgan had refused to sustain the President in some measures, the commission was withheld. Mr. Depew was then offered the position of Minister to Japan, but he declined to accept the proffered honor.