The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1867-08-10
Misrellaiteons.
BIOGRAPHY
HON. SCHUYLER COLFAN.


For the following sketch of the life and history
OF Hon. Schuyler Colfax We are indebted to the
chronological Journal Ia view Of the fact that
Mr. Colfax's name is prominently before the
American people as a candidate for the Presidcn-
cy OF the United States, the incidents ln his life
detailed here will, weknow, prove interesting
The Hon. Schuyler Colfax, Speaker Of the
House Of Representatives was born in New York,
March 23d, 1923, and Is a lincal descendant from
General Schuyler and Captain Colfax, both Of
Revolutionary celebrity. or his early lifen New
York little can be CLEANED but all the academic
col instruction he was favored with was received
before he had reached the age of ten years, and
that was obtained chiefly through his own dill
gent application. That he assiduously made use
Of his leisure time for mental improvement while
following the vocation upon which be depended
Tor support, Is manifest in the superior cultiva-
tion aud rare abilities which characterize him at
the present day.
At the age Of thirteen he went 10 Indiana
where he entered prniing-otiice aud continued
10 follow the pursuit Of printing, with degrees Of
advancement, until about the year 1874, when he
became editor aud proprietor Of the South Bend
Rsgister. Mr.. Colfax was then only twenty
one years Of age but by his energy and his stcr-
ling integrity he had worked his way up into a
position Of influence andresponsibility. The pa
per he published wus a political organ in the
interest OF the Whig party Its circulation was
not extensive, but lis editor sirovc TO render il
useful and healthy journal and il was not long
before be obtained considerable reputation for
his bold avowal OF honest sentiments for his
temperate habits, and his substantial abilities /;
and eyentnlly be became an Influential leader in
the politics Of Indiana.
Fortunately, we are enabled 10 gain an insight
into the character Of Mr.. Colfax AZ he appeared
when an editor. At an entertainment given by
the representatives, OF the press in Washington 10
Mr.. Colfax, an address was made by Mr.. walkin-
son, IN which occurs the following passage:
Eighteen years ago, at one o'clock Of q win
ter moon-lighted morning, while the horses Of
the stage-coach in which was plowing the thick
mud OF Indiana were being changed at the tavern
in South Bend, ] walked the footway Of the
principal street 10 shake or great WEAKNESS.
saw light througha window. sign, Tie
KsgisteT, was ligiblc above IL, and saw through
the window man in his shirt sleeves walking
quickly about like one that worked. I paused
and LOOKED, aud imagined about the man. aud
about his work, aud about the iaicncss % the
hour 10 which u was pTOlracied; and wondered
II he was ia debt. and Was struggling Ia get ont
aud IL his wife was expecting him and hnd ligh-
ted a new candle for his coming. and il hr WAS
very tired. \ coming step interrupted this idle
dreaming. When the walker reached NV side
joined him, aud n We went asked him uues-
lions, and naturally they wer about the workman
in the shirt sleeves. What sort Of a man is he ?
Tie Is very good io the poor; he works hard he
is sociable with all people he pays his debts !;
he Is a safe adviser /; he doesn't drink whisky /:
folks depend on him; all this part Of Indiana
believes in him. From that day TO this have
never taken up the South Bend R.gisfsr without
thinking Of this eulOgy, and envying the man
who had justly entitled himself TO il In the dawn
Of his manhood.
Mr.. Coliax replied 10 this in the following mo.
dest but pleasant speech
81 have had no listen tonight a. "A eulocy from
your distinguished chairman of which can only
wish ! was worthy. What he has said has cal.
led back TO my mind, what IS often before il. the
years OF my early manhooi-and ! soc friend
seated at this table Mr.. Desreesl who knows
much Of Il about rs well as myself-when, strug-
Cling agains, poverty and adverse fortune some
times, sought In the profession TO which you
have devoted yourselves, ~ earn an honest livei.
hood for myself and family, and position, hum.
bic, but not dishonored, among the newspaper
men Of America. ! can not remember the exact
evening TO which be alludes. when eighteen years
ago, stranger then, as ] am glad he Is not now,
he saw tne through window in my Office, with
the midnight lamp before me, and heard the
commentary on my life from the lips OF some too
partial friend among those who from my boyhood
have surrounded me with 80 much kindness and
attention. But well do ] remember, In the early
history Of the newspaper that numbered but two
hundred and ifty subscribers when | established
u, was often compelled TO labor far into the
hours OF night And ll,tlc did | dream, at that
time, ] was ever 10 be a member ofthe American
Congress and far less that was 10 be the rcci-
pient Of the honor whose conierment YOU com.
memoraie and indorse tonight. | can say Of
that paper that lis columns, from iis very first
number, will bear testimony to-day that in all
a r.. Il.
never avoided frank and outspoken expression
OF opinion on any question before the American
people. And that, as these opinions had always
been honestly entertained could not have hesita.
ted TO frankly and manfuly avow them. Though
the effect Of these avowais was, from the polili-
cal complexion Of the district aud the State, 10
keep me In minority, the people among whom
live will bear testimony that was no less faith.
iul 10 them then than have been when, In later
years, than minority has by the course Of events
been changed into a majority.
In the same speech we find another passagt
which we appropriate, showing as Il does the
elevated opinion which Mr.. Coliax holds OF
Journalism, and lie position and influence In the
country. How Enthusiastically does he prelacC
u by his humor and suavity Ills compliments
all tell and his speech reflects back upon him.
self the elevated opinion he held OF that profession
while engaged In It
| y can uol avoid saying lew Nofds ~ fcla-
ton 10 the profession 10 which we have devoted
our lives ! think you can not but acknowledge
that the American Congress has not overlooked
the press. Not only have they seen Ct, for the
first time In the history OF Congress, 10 select a
printer for the grave responsibilities which clus.
ter around their presiding officer, but from the
ranks OF the same profession they have taken a
gentleman Tor the next Office In order, the Clerk
i OF the House, and one whom, with a modesty
II "a. kfa 4 I III a.
him (Mr. McPhefsonl Aud besides these wa
have also 10 the American Congress another gentle.
man printer, acting as Postmaster ofthe Iiouse
Having thus generously given n majority Of all
officers 10 the press, they have magnanimously b
allowed ''the rest Humankind TO take the remain.
Ing two officers. Laughter and applause. Ia
| the other branch Of Congress we have Secretary
Of the Senate, John W. Forneyl one Of IN,
most gifled and distinguished journalists Of OuI
/ time The Vice-president Of the United State.