Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1866-01-11
Speech or Schuyler COlfax In the
New YORK Assembly.

NJ W IUIh AkHCMBlys
Hon. Schuyler Colfax, on the I'd inst,
upon being introduced from the speak
er's desk in the New York Assembly
chamber, addressed the members and
the crowded galleries. After abiding
to his adopted State, and INDUCING in
an expression of pride and satisfaction
in bis birth place in New York, he ad-
verted to the many momentous events
for the country which had taken place
since the last session, and said:
Your presiding officer has alluded, in
the very kind and partial remarks he
has made, to the intimacy which, to
some extent, existed between myself
and that noble President, whose death
we all SO sincerely mourn. was
struck, when entering this Assembly
chamber few moments ago, at seeing
here constantly before you, as if to re-
mind you of his dying legacy, that
pledge-referring to the words of Mr..
Lincoln which were placed on the wall
of the chamber on the occasion of his
obseqpies-"I have the most solemn
oath registered in heaven to preserve,
protect, and defend the Government"
which be made to the American people
when he assumed, on tae steps of the
Capitol, the responsibilities of the Chief
executive magistracy of the nation.
He found oursnation weak and dis
united. He found a gigantic rebellion
sweeping over the land with all its fury
Looking around for elements ofstrength
for the maintainance of the Govern.
ment he found our elements of power
crippled, and he almost bound hand and
foot at the mercy Of the enemies of our
own household. Yet, faithful to that
oath which he had registered, he walked
in the pathway of duty, firmly and fear
lessly to the end. II was said of grt at
man in the olden time that be found his
imperial city brick, but he left il. marble.
Il is the proader boast Of those who low
ed our deceased Presideut-it is a
prouder trophy of fame for him-that
he found this country weak and waning
and disunited-he found it torn and
sneered at by powerful nations across
the waters--he found every despot al.
most in Europe looking for the antici-
pated downfall of this republic, which
was q powerful testimony against their
tyranny, but he left it nation strong
and powerful, and f-ared and respected
by every people, and in every cline,
and with the banner of the Union,
bright With the stars of heaven, and
brilliant with the glories of earth, I'M
stained and unsssailed over every acre
of national domain. Then, when he
had protected our people by night and
day against the dangers which menaeed
them, when his work was fully accom-
plished, he was gathered to his fathers,
with the weeping and sorrowing of
a whole people over bis tomb, and stand
ing in niche in the Temple of Fame in
our national Valhallah brighter than
was ever dreamed Of in all the years
passed. Luther said once, aud beauti-
fnliy, !" Tod buries his workmen, but His
work goes on. Our President has
passed away, but there are others to do
the work which he set bis hand to do so
faithfully. And I adjure you, as the
representatives of the people ofthe State
of New York, to have that generous
confidence and trust in all clothed in
authority which will give 10 them the as
surance that you are not disposed to
condemn them in advance Have coz
fdenee in yonr. President, who fills the
place of him who is gone. Hints of mis-
trust always begot alienation. Have
faith in the Senators and Representa-
tives of the American people assembled
in their national councils. Have faith
that they, like your President, will be
faithful to those that elected them and
clothed them with this high authority,
so that, gradually CO operating together
for a common end, they may walk faith
fully in the pathway of duty, illuminated |
by the footprints of the gallant men who |
went down to the harvest of death and |
died that our republic might live, that !
this great work of the restoration of the |
Union may be accomplished on basis
as firm as the ligaments of the human
system, and az enduring as the solar
system itself. III