Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1865-11-30
Mr. Colfax and his Assailants.

Mr. Colfax and his Assailants.
The speech OF Mr. Speaker Colfax, in response |
to serenade few nights ago, was evidently care
fully prepared, in substance if not in verbiage |
He knew that what he said would be accepted on
all hands, as an expression Of the purpose Of the
Union men in Congress in regard to the rehabili- |
taton Of the rebel States. and he would have been
culpaby careless not to hare dgested his subject
Fwell. We have no doubt he spoke the sentiments
of ninety nine out OF every hundred OF his party
both in and out of Congress. He certainly spoke
ours. And can heartily endorse all he said.
and not less heartily what he avoided saying. He
was equally wise in his silence as In his utterance.
Disputed points which are not party issues. and
should never be, he who for the time - regarded
as representing party, has no right TO nterpolste
in his authorized declarations OF course the
Democratic pres denounces his sentiments and
himself, but with characteristic inconsistency they
denounce him personally for what they insist ne
! only representative utteranccs. The New York
World calls him "truckliag politician" and in
the very sentence declares that what no says
"must be regarded rs an authentic forcshadowinS
of the action ofCongress at the approaching SEES
sion." Now We insist that his sssailants shall not
put in these contradictory pleas. II wharh he says
is purely representative, the party IS the only lar
object of assault. IL he is denounced personally
for his sentiments, they canno: be fairly charged
Iagainst anybody but himself We only note this
illustration Of Democratic dealing; We do not pro-
pose 10 avail ourselves of it to eyade full en-
dorsement of Mr.. Colfax, personally as well as
politically. Personally, man who has fought hi.
way unaided by wealth. or wealthy friends, or by
other education than he has snatched in the inter
vsls OF rarely RENTED labor, by the force OF
strong will impeng strong brain. through hon
cradle paths, from roller boys stand in country
printing Office to the chair of the Speaker OF Con-
gress, needs vindicaton. His achievements
are his rulogy. When any Democrat build
one as decorous or durable, We shall be the last to
dcface it. If his speech needs modification,
are ready. for one, to defend it against all corners
There are only two points in il. 10 which the
World, its ablest asai!ant, gives special promin-
ence; LIST, that freedmen shall be freemen, and entitl
ed to cqusl protection in their natuaal rights with
white men; 81, that Representatives from rebel
States shall not be admitted to seats until Con
gross has settled deliberately and definitely the
terms and manner OF restoration of those States
to what Mr.. Lincoln called "their proper relation
to the Union" From the first, the World tries
to wrench an inference Of favor to negro suffrage
We need not waste time in exposing the futility OF
this effort. The protection of freedmen in their
natural rights no more means grant Of the right
of suffrage than securing to married women their
real and personal property means the same thing
As TO the second, we submit that it the Southern
representatives had spark ofstlf respect in their
souls, they would to take a seat in Congress
by ndirection. II they could not walk in square
ly and with the consciousness that they were obey
ing the will OF the nation, they should 60 home
and stay there. They do not seem at all inclined
TO take this course. They are bowling for seats
like hungry wolves. They insist that the clerk
shall put their names on the roll, treat them as
members from the start. give them vote in set
thing their own rights under a constitution which
they rcpudated, and Government they tried to
destroy. A little modesty would not misbecomc
them. They ought to understand thatthe restora-
! ton Of the Union is non the work Of clerk. nor
the task of day. 1t is one Of the m st Eomen-
tous problems that human intelligence and integri-
ty ever had to solve. They ought to understand
that they are not only parties to the case which
they want settled SO summarily. The loyal States
are interested too, and have the right Of reason.
of power, OF justice TO prescribe the terms Of set
Element. The rebels have no right to invoke the
Constitution, first because il contains provision
that touches the case, and second, because they
repudiatcd il for four years, and only quali6edly
> accepted il now. There is neither precedent or
direction Of law for an adjustment; to such case
deliberation ID duty. Besides. Southern men
have shown a spirit which imperatively forbids
their admission TO any present share Of national
power. That they will misuse il, is Just certain
as that they get it. They are Inundated, and
show it in cursipg even while humbling them
selves 10 the Presidential direction. They refuse
to make any retracton oil rebel action or sent &.
ment. The President telegraphs to the Couven-
lions, ana they retract But IN tins very act tney
re-assert their State di ynty with a profusion OF
patriotic profanity. Like Pistol. they eat their
E leek with many scowl ana oath, but they do eat
it, for the hand OF the nation is heavy on them
yet. But give them the power to take that hand
away. to share the direction of the policy which
fixes the security for future peace and it needs no
prophet to foretell what they will do. To admit
te,the councils Of the Government, and TO 4 voice
!, in the settlement Of difficulties, the men who
rebeed against the Government and created the
difficulties would be unwise it is unparalleled
History has nothing like it. II would be the very
insanity of mercy. A man who has saved his
house from burning might just As well set it on fire
; again to make n light to look for lost property
d Congress should establish full and fixed mode oil
. reconstruction. and the rebel States should be
4 required to comply with il before they allow
cd single voice in the direction Of national az
K fairs. Nobody wants to humiliate them, but they
Islander their sentiments UNANIMOUSLY if they
don't need reforming. Mr.. Coliax not only spoke
e the detc- minaon Of this party, but he spoke the
words OF truth and soberness' when he said that
no rebel representative should be admitted to
n Congress. ill the nation had settled the mode, and
e was satisfied Nth his loyalty. IL will be time
n enough to give such men share of the national
Government when they can appreciate the hror
While they demand it right. with bitter
protestations of fidelity to the principle of tbs
4 rebellion. of determination ito miintain theil
State against Federal aggression" they may de
mand till the last trump sounds in the morning be
l. fore they will get any thng but contempt for thei
}, incurabe olly.-Ind. Jour.
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