The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1866-08-10
SPEECH OF SPEAKER O0LFAX.

At q recent reception to Senator Trumbull In
Chicago, Speaker Colfax made an eloquent
speech rideulug the manner In which the cop
perhea,is now beg for the soldiers vote. De.
Low Is the conclusion Of his speech:
These men are now very sweet about the
soldiers. II you ask them show about the
Lincoln hrclings ~ they look at you with
black features Of establishment, rs II IL were i'm
possible for them TO have said any such thing.
There vas q time when they sent mess
age to the soldiers, Il Was when they were fight
Ing and pStishing in the conflict, when their
bodies were lying dead and unburied on the
battle fields Of the South; when they sent up
their appeals implorinely tor moro men and
more money to assist them In their work. The
brave soldiers said. we will lay down our lives
for our country, IL you will only send more
men 10 GIL up the gaps that are made In our
ranks by rebel artillery and rebel musketry.
And many Of them, as they lay wounded and
dying upon the battle-6eld, asked OF their
comrades, "What answer comes from the
NORTH" And at last the answer came. Il
come from Chicsgo-frcm the Democratic par
ty-uhile the scale OF national life and death
Was hanging tremblingly In the balsnce-to
the beseeching and imploring soldiers, they
send as an ausuer--the Chicago Platform.
loud laughter.) The soldiers asked for bread.
and they gave them stone. They asked them
Tor men and money, and they sent over the
land the words which should give spirit to the
rebels, and declared "this war Is . failure, and
vs demand the immediate cessation OF hostili.
ties" The soldiers have not forgotten that
answer. II was unconstitutional (the Demo.
Gratis said) In Indiana 10 allow our soldiers to
vote when In the field. do not know how Il
was in Illinois, but suppose u was the same.
IL ", however, not unconstitutional for them 10
vote at home; and they arc At home now, and
they remembered the lesson they learned In the
he,d. and this Fall they arc going TO vote and
show What they think Of u. loud cheers.)
ani tell you here, tonight, In conclusion,
.nat " you can surrender this cause for which
.ney fought and bled. not only will the dead In
th.t eSnns rise against 10, or ought TO do 90;
no, ony Sm the widows Who gave their hus-
oanas, anu tne mothers Who devoted their sons
~ .nt', SoasIy ssptosch you Zoe having sac
20 their hearts hsd fallen, but You viii nroys
yourselves unworthy Of thoss nr~,;on. -
loving sacrifices which we're male so frrs,s In
this land. II inspiration be needed To Ind.cs
you To DO your duty, 60 over thoss eenster;es
at Washington, see there the tombs Of the
named and the nsmeless dead; then think that
oil User tho land there are aquarter OF million
Of such impressive sJnonitious not to give up
the causc for which they fell would say In
conclusion that when they wat restoration,
let them show, in the first place. devotion TO
the Union; In the second place, let them admit
the frscdon Of al msn'iu the and b express
their sentiments In their own frce speech; and
thirdly, let them consent that no man shall %
prohibitsd froa paying the tribute OF sasosson
and gratitude to the graves Of the soldiers OF
the RepaAic: IL they win do this, there may
b hops for them. No. afr' --''f