The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-10-24
Froasa.he Ne,o York Papers OF to ctay.

Frons,she NeD York Papers Of to day.
Last evening an immense audience, including
many ladies, filled the large hail of the Cooper
Institute TO Overlooking, and listened 10 speech
by Hon. Schuyler ColfaX, which was delivered
under the auspices OF the Union Republican As.
sociation. A large number of prominent and
influential citizens occupied seats upon the
stage, and over their heads were suspended
national flags and banners bearing patriotic
notices. band was In attendance and dis
coursed music at proper intervals. The meeting
was called TO order by Mr.. Charles s. Spencer,
who, in few appropriate remarks, introduced
to the assembly Hon. Schuyler ColiaX. On step
ping forward that gentleman was greeted with
rounds of applause. Quiet being restored he
said:--
Now, my friends, let us give three cheers for
the great principles upon which we stand
(cheers), and cheers for the blood of soldiers
consecrated upon the battlefield, that loyal men
might rule the States for which loyal men sacri-
feed their lives. (Cheers.J he thanked the
audience Tor the kind manner in which they had
welcomed him, and said he believed 1t was an
evidence that they thought he had been faithful
to the trusts reposed IN him. He came before
them TO vndica'e the policy of the Union Re.
publican organization, which alone, of all
parties in the land, never despaired of the
American republic. It's past history was covered
with glory. Where would nave been the coun.
try to day had the Republican party been blotted
out of exi,tenceY 1t was through the efforts of
this organization that victory after victory
was Won by our soldiers and sailors. (Cheers.)
after the great victories which crushed it, on
what principles should the Government OF the
United STATES be established, and on what
policy should reconstruction be enacted? They
rem mbered the days when Democracy meant
something else than treason. They could not
restore to father and mother the lost son; they
could not give back TO the weeping widow her
slain husband-this was impossible. The soldier
slept where he fell-at Shiloh, Gettysburg,
Vicksburg, Richmond and where they fought
above the clouds they sleep a herO's sleep. But
hic uilp m nTpgsiValV SOpakg
treason in this country, and not give back to
Rebels the power which was wrested from
mand, and one thing, thank God, we have
power to demand, and that is security tor the
future, and that we intend to have in Consti-
tuition which the waves OF Rebellion might dash
against in vain. (Applause.) he would say
for himself and others of the Fortieth Congress
that they intended to stand I'LL the last hour of
their existence, through evil and good report,
firmly for the rights OF the Constitution, They
meant TO stand IN the pathway OF right, Years
ago the enemies of the country sought to over
Whelm the Republican party with the epithet OF
Abolitionist. They sought to make that name
a areproach, but the party made it watchword
throughout the country. They next called the
party Black Republicans, but they had got
good many more of them down South than
they wanted. (Cheers.) Now they applied
the name of radical; but he would
rather be called radical than Cop
perhead, and his conscience smote him when he
called them Democrats. lie preferred radical TO
Rebel. He was radical from the sole OF his foo
to the crown of his head-a radical enemy to
every assassin of his native land No party had
struggled SO anXiousIy for power the oppo
nents of the Republican party. The Republi-
cans were anxious to welcome back to the Union
the late rebellious States, but they wanted it
done on such terms that every man could say
he loves the flag OF the Union without fear or
molestation. They would take nothing less
than that. (Cheers.) The very first session of
the first Congress that met after the surrender
OF Lee devised and proposed plan of recon
struction. 1t was constitutonally Union. 1t
was to be embodied in our Constitution that
patriotism was virtue and rebellion crime.
The negro had right to sue, receive
wages tor abor-that was In the first section.
The second section provided that every
voter throughout this land should count
Just one and no more in political power in the
House OF Representatives. The third section
provided that those who violated their oaths to
the country should not be allowed to hold office
in the States until Congress allowed them to @ @do
so. The fourth provided that the Rebel debt
shall be forever repudiated. How was this plan
received? They spurnad 1t, and kicked 1t out Of
their Legislatures, and tramped upon II, and
said they would have nothing to do with 1t.
They demanded more power. When this plan
was repudiated Congress came together again
and said they. wished the Southern States
back, but with guarantees. They wanted
protection for the loyal pe0pe of the South.
Mr.. Lincoln said II one-tenth of the people
OF any Southern State could be found that were
loyal, he would give back the power In the
handB of that people. The speaker then spoke al
some length OF the loyalty OF tue coored people
Of the South as evinced during the war. He
appealed 10 any Democratic General who was
IN the Union army ii he ever received smiles o.
welcome at the South except from the blacks
ne vas fleeing TOR safety, and saw white
' man' ne would seek hiding-plaCe in the woods
Sutl coiored man, he would ask him for in
iITELmallon and shelter, and always received it.
kChSers.l Mr. Colfax alluded to the act passed
9y,';S 99y H;SSngress which allowed every man in the
1 oO1tn ~ ~ Vote except those who had held Office
~ te cr,o %eneral Government, and were guilty
o. .lt 1ne GliIne . OF treason and perjury He reat
sAsleots sII iIom lne Constitution, explaining tina
tbey were not the same that Andrew Jobn 40,
ano'ed when M, he was !" swinging rount
Ine oncle; Inc door, the speaker said
saw dt to vote down the Constitutional amend
ment, so be IT. the responsibility woul,
Democratic party has been the manstav an,
hope of the South. He thought they woni,
vote down the Convention IN virginia, Mort
Carolina, Arkansas, and Texas, and when the
did they would be shown that the Rovernmen
Of these States rests upon the will of the gres
mass OF people In them. He stood up for thof
people Of the South who were true TO the stal