The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1866-04-24
Remarks by Speaker CoIfax,
LOYAL Men only should Govern Rescued
Republic.

The Hon. Schuyler Colfax, speaker ol
the U. S House of Representatives, was
serenaded at Washington on Monday
night, April 9, by citizens of Indiana,
aud Acknowledged the compliment inthe
ollowiug speech:
7 have no doubt that you, like myself,
rejoice with exceeding great JOY, and are
pfouder to day of being citizens of this
great country than ever before. There
was a time in this land of ours when sIa-
very was regarded as the cornerstone OF
American institutions. Thank God that
time has passed, and we build hencetorth
on a foundation of liberty. Applause
To-day. under the legislation Of the Amer
iean Congress in the great Republic
shaped by the geography OF a continent,
and washed by the water Of the two great
oceans Of the globe. there is DO person
rich or poor, high or humble, learned or
unlearned. who does not live in security
under the protection of equal laws. Ap-
plause | am prouder to-day, also, of
the great Union organization OF which L
have been a member, than ever before.
It's history is nob!y written IN the history
Of our country.
Administrations and Congresses and
parties may pass away, but the record
which the great party has made will shine
with brighter glory on our countrys page
than any other in the annals CT our his
tory. When the great rebellion broke
ont. and when our ship of State rocked
in fearful storm and was threatened by
a terrible mutiny, the Union organization
stood unfinchingly by our noble Presl,
dent, the martyred Lincoln, in his deter
minatiou to crush the conspiracy and pre-
serve the Government intact, and when
it was prophesied to us by false tongues
who at the same time shouted "nO coer.
cion," that the rebellion could not be
subiugated. the n-loving people oi
the country, forming into mighty phalanx,
determined that it should be-
When your armies needed reinforce
ments, they took voluntarily upon them
selves the odium of conScrlptIon laws and
drafts. because they were necessary fol
the country! When hetreasury needed
to be flied, they took upon themselves
the responsibility aud odium of tax taws
that our flag might ba kept flying in the
field. They did this lying upon the
Justice of their cause, aud went before
the people and triumphed. The enact
ments of that great party are imperishable
10 1862, the capital was disgraced by
slavery, but they determined that hence
forth it should be free, and with unwa,
verlng fidelity to principle they placed
upon the statute book that law which
never can be and never shall be repealed
that in this capital should be no slave
[ Applause.
In 1868 our noble and great hearted
President issued his proclamation oi
emancipation, striking with the battle
axe of the Union that powerful element
of rebel strength, and the Union party oi
the country stood by him, determined te
give that proclamation vitality, as they
did by an endorsement of the people in
the winter of 1864 and 1865, when the
constitutional amendment was proposed
in the Congress of the United States
banishing slavery forever from the country
as au uuclean thing, and declaring thai
hencefoIth and forever it should be the
home of the free,
That great organization again and
unItedly rallied to its support, and placed
tuat amendment on the statute book, anu
II is now the supreme law Of the land
Again. in this great year 1866, IN the
Senate chamber and in the Representa-.
tive hall, they have placed by over
whelming maiorities that civil rights bill
on your statute book which declares that
every one born on American soil shall
have birthright as an American citizen
hat law, misrepresented as 1t has been
byus opponents in Congress, will never
be repealed, and in the years that are
coming it will be the proudest recollec-
tion and the crowning honor Of those men
WHO stood up IN the national councils
that thew gave to that American Magma
Charta their cordial support. Aud why
should there be objections to law like
that?
Every one born Ou the soil Of the Re
public owes to 1t allegiance, and is it not
the reciprocal duty of the Republic to
give him its. protection ? Honceforth
wherever 10 this land person shall be
oppressed or outraged, or his rights with.
hed-wherever tyranny may shake Its
sceptre over him-he has but to turn tC
the national aag and the National Gov
ernment for that protection which tht
Congress of the United States has or
dained is his right. Applause w,
are sometimes asked (and I know will
what solicitude the American people re
gard it, why the work of reconstruction
has been delayed I? do not think it ha