Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1867-09-19

bEts OdnSls fll~yln11 f1Oulc, CWect lloihs.
all IN waiting TO honor the return of = dis
tinguished yet simple hearted citizen. De
scending from the railway PLATFORM, Dir
Colfax was almost literally carried by the
arms to nm adjoining rostrum, where, in
intense silence, the formal yet sincere and
touching welcome WAS prOncurced ny
Judge Wade, formerly Colonel Of the Sew
enty Third In diana infantry. who, during
the war, was by Mr.. Colfax delivered from
actual squslid horrors and impending Death
in Libby Prison.
"Thc orator, in substance, thanked Mr..
Coliax in the name orhis fellow citizens for
honors he in his public life had won for
them; in the name of national citizens who
feel that Ire is a prominent part OF the
tructy bulwaEk which shields the-l from
public enemies; aud finally, in tho name
soldiers who have learned by expcrince
that he was pstriotically. anselfsh'y, con-
stantly and unilaggiusly devoted TO their
interests.
''rhe speaker closed, and for moment
we trembled for the silver-tOngued states
man who hitherto had gracefully address
ed Presidents and Senates, but whose
owners heart seemed just then more ready
to sit down and silently weep upon the
threshold OF lis home, than to dictate the
words whose meaning il wele far easier to
feel. But soon the ringing sentences began
to flow and the returning guest to feel lit
orally ut home. Then the shouts. and the
procession through the streets, whose doors
and windows fairly shoae with nodding
heads and bright faces. For once in our
life, amid all this unostentatious, sponta-
noous excitement of that pure inland town,
we discovered prophet having honor and
enjoying love In his own country. We
would rather have that honor and love
than the Speakership. Twice happy the
man who enjoys both at the hands OF the
American Republic.'
Even the statesman msy not prove ex
empt from severe afilictiOn. He, too, hath
loved and lost In early life Mr.. Colfax
married childhood friend, whose pure,
kind heart and lovely life won hosts of
friends for herself and husband. She died
in 1863. We may not press our sketch 10
within the sacred precincts of domestic
life and unspeskable bereavement. The
welcome above quoted must have been
grateful to its recipient: but We felt how
much more sadly sweet j! is to dream amid
the memories of distant home than to re-
visit its ruins.
Turn again, how, to the foregoing por-
trait, and lei his friends modify tho artist
presentation. Even the best engravings
sometimes escape Landseer's definition of
a photograph, Justice without Hercy:"
MIR. ColfaX is under medium hight, with
brown hair, brow firmly moulded, blue.
open, and generous eye, frank face full
of character, a mouth strongly inclined to
smile at the least provOcation, although
clearly showing that frmness, decision,
energy, and kindness Of heart which make
him what he is.
Mr.. Colfax is not learned in the Uniyer
siiy sense; but he possesses great practical
wisdom and thorough sclf-cducatiOn whose
industry was f0reshadOwed in his early
and very brief school life. His intellect is
clear, his reading wide. perceptions quick.
convictions deep. and sense Of duty as inn
peraiivs ms voice from the sky. Honor
ably unsalfish. unQueStlOnabiy sincere, no
wire-pullinS irickster. no pretentiOus hum
bug whose emincnce alone protects him
from exposure, generous to subordinates
ard true to all, he deserves the love which
hr IS rrc TO retain. Having obtained po-
stiOn as mere incident to duty, he justly
estimates the conditions of permanent sue
cess. Believing that a true man has al
ways at hand all legitimate material, Inc
scorns to corduroy hi. path TO emincnce
withthe bodies of competitors slain through
fear of their honorable emulation. lie
will as soon dscuy vour child az II victim
tO the dissecting room as TO build for him
self upon the debris of reputation ruined
by his misrepresentation or undeserycd ca
lumny. A mean, cowardly inuendO is to
him as impossible as forgery or theft. In
all relation no man is more approachsble.
no grasp more cordial, no welcome more
genuine, no laugh more hearty, no frank
ness more charming.
As speaker he is ready. seldom hesita-
ting to replace word or failing TO touch
the quick of question, never employing
any thing for stage effect, but straightfor
ward direct, and often exquisitcly elegant
in image and dictiOn, he is, in the genuine
sense eloquent His every speech is sue
cess, and though one often wonders how
he will extricate himself in the varied and
often untimely calls made upon his treasu
ry, he always closes with added wealth of
gratified admirers. IfGeorge Canning w ;
once the Cicero Of the British Senate, Col
fax. is to day that OF the American House
In the Chair he is suave and forbearing
almost 10 excess, but as impartial as the
opposite Congressional clock. Nothing es-
capcs him, nothing nonpluscs him. The
marvel of his presiding watchtulncss is
equalcd alone by the intuitive, rapid solu
iion of the knotty point suddenly present
ed, and having either no precedent, or, at
best. but a very distant one. In every
quandary the South Bend Legislator, or
the Journal reporter, or the present student
of Jefferson or Gushing, or all, rally to the
rescue of the wondering House and still
smiling Chairman. Thc'advocate is never
confused with the judge. When presiding,
it is as difficult to remember, as when de-
batting to forget, that he is radically Rad
ical.
Mr.. Colfax is not famous as the author
of any great national measure, like a few
prominent men whose association with GER
tain absorbing public issues has conferred
4 good or bad Immortality, though their
championship was mere accident He
Is. however, distinguished through his even
excellence In every assigned position. As
boy, youth, or man, editor, representative
or speaker. he has never failed. Increas-
ingly influential, he is yet as quiet during
or after his work as a sunbeam. When
Chairman of the House Committee on
Post Offices and Post Roads, he was great
" Influential in carrying the Pacific Rail
way measures; yet less ado has been made
by him or over him than over thiid rate
nabob who, in these days, takes an excur-
sion over the extending track.
Thus, about halfway on his journey
for We hope he viii live century, and
mount. twice as high in honors and populal
love-we bid him Godspeed.
| Mr. III. g. TowLl late of Mi-hawka, and now %
Chicago, who the private Secretary Of Mr.. Col
fax during the 3gth Congress 20 whom the writer %
the above arici. acknowledges his indebtedness for
mary of the important facts embodied therein.
| DENOCRA TIC PL1 TFORM
Gov. MoRToN in his Columbus, Ohio
speech gives, quite correctly, the new plat
form IF tho Dop,ocrofic Marty Tt is a.