The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1867-08-10

bear testimony 10 the fact of his having furnished
material for innuinerabe editorials ia IL columns
You do not expect me to make IN elaborate
aiter-dinner speech tonight, because the usage
Of Speaker e not 10 make speeches, but 10 lIs.
ten 10 them, and expect TO have considerable Of
that latter duty TO perform during the eveniful
Congress just opening. A few words before
sit down IN regard 10 your profession. Next 10
the sacred desk, and those who minister in Il,
there is no profession more responsible than yours
The editor can not walt like the politician to SEQ
the set OF the tide, but is required a. new neces-
sites arise, not only 10 avow at once his senii-
meat upon them, but TO discuss them inlelligently
and instruciively. II is also his duty 10 guide
and protect public opinion In the proper cham
nels, and 30 lay before the readers Of his sheet
such matter as shall tend 10 the elevation Of their
character. lhave sometimes thought that newspa-
pcrs 10 their sphere might he compared 10 that
exquisite mechanism Of the universe whereby the
moisture is lifted from the earth condensed into
clouds, and poured back again 10 refreshing aud
fertilizing showers 10 bless the husbandman and
produce the abundant harvests. so, with the
representatives Of the press, they draw from pub
lie opinion, condense public opinion, and finally
reflect and re.distribuie Il back again In turn 10
lie elevation and publication"
In the year lsis Mr.. Colfax was appointed
delegate from his adopted State to the Wing
National Convention, OF which he was elected
secretary, and although extremely young, hedis-
charged the functions OF bis ofiice commendably.
ln lSC0 he was elected q member Of the Indiana
State Convention, having for iis object the pre-
paraton oi STATE Constitution. In this body
be proved very efficient in bringing about the
adoption Of the present constitution OF bis State
In 1851 he was the candidate OF the Whg party
In his district for seat In the House Of Represen-
tatives at Washington. The result was uniavora-
bic 10 him. yet as an indication OF the increasing
strength Of his political party in Indiana, Il was
regarded as very encouraging. In 1859 be was
again sent as a delegate 10 the whig National
Convention, Of which also he was appointed secre-
iary. In 1854 Mr.. Colfax was elected TO Congress
as Republican nominee and from that time 10
the presen, he has always occupied his seat as
representative.
At the opening OF the Thiriy-fourih Congress
occurred the memorable contest for the Speak
ership, resulting In the election Of Mt. Banks to
that position. During that session Mr.. Colfax
took his stand as one OF the most promising Of
our Congressional debaters. Ills speech upon
the then all-absorbing topic Of the extension Of
slavery and the aggressions Of the slave power
was mastery effort, and stamped him at once
as most influential orator. This speech was
circulated throughout the country a, the time,
and was used as a campaign document by the
Fremont party during the canvass Of 1856. Mr..
Colfax labored zeaiously for John c. Fremont,
who was bis personal friend the result OF that
campaign Is well known. In the Thirty-ffih
Congress Mr.. Colfax was elected 10 the important
position Of Chairman TO the Committee on Post
Offices and Post Roads, which place be continued
10 hold until his election as Speaker TO the Thirty
eighth Congress on the 9Th OF December, 1868, 10
which responsible position he has since been twice
re-elected-to the Thirty-ninth and Fortieih
Congrcss-honors awarded before only TO Henry
Clay.
In Congress the same energy and industry has
characterized him which was so prominent In bis
private life and personal vocation. His course
while in the great council Of the nation has been
one OF straightforward, unswerving integrity
and be counts many friends among eyen his po-
litical opponents. He has 50 discharged the i'm
portant duties OF the Speakership, that be Is con-
sidered one Of the best presiding officers that has
ever been called upon TO conduct the proceedings
Of a great body. So general indeed, are the
expressions Of approval from all sides, that We
may confidently look for his further promotion
ere long.
Mr.. Colfax is only forty-four years Of age. In
personal appearance he Is Of medium height, So
lid, and compactly built. His hair and Whiskers
are brown, now 4 little tnged with gray. His
countenance has pleasing and intellecinal express
sion. Ills person is graceful, and bis manner
denotes unusual energy. His eyebrows are light
in color, and overshadow eyes which sparkle with
intelligence and good-humor. lie Is strongly
afectionaie and kindly in disposition. Whenever
his moiher-in-law appears In the gallery OF the
Iicusc, Mr.. Colfax generally calls some member
I" the chair and goes Immediately TO her side.
Such trait In his character serves still further 10
DEEPEN the RESPECT aud esteem n which be is held
everywhere.
As a speaker Mr. Colfax Is earnest, frank,
pointed aud fluent. Ills manner is pleasing,
aud his language Is always well-chosen and re-
fned Urbane in demeanor, and courteous and
fair toward opponents, he always commands res
Pcct and attention on both sides Of the House.
lie is jealous and fearless in maintaining his
principles, though his benevolence and good
humor so temper his speeches that be gains few
or no enemies. lie Is one OF the few whose
personal qualities have secured exemption from
the bitterness Of feeling generally displayed by
the friends OF pro-slavery aggression toward their
opponents. lie seldom indnlges in oratorical
flourish, but goes straight TO his subject, which
with his keenly perceptive intellect he pcnetraies
to the bottom while his close logical reasoning
presents his aspect ofa question 10 is strongest
light. lie has obtained also a popularity as n
lecturer equal 10 any. Ills Across the Conti-
neni has been delivered In the chief cities OF the
East, and is always fresh. We shall close our
description Of Mr.. Colfax with q portion Of q
patriotic address lately delivered by him before
the members Of the Union League Club, New
York. In reviewing the past, and while speaking
Of the duties OF the present hour, the following
brilliant passages occurred
How rapidly and yet how gloriously we are
making history but poslerity will read II on
the open pages OF our couniry's annals. Six
years ago-how brief Il seems-but fraction OF
an individuals life-but a breath in the life OF q
nation-the banners Of Rebellion waved over
hostile armies and stolen forts from the Potomac
20 the Rio Grande and the Unlocking world pre-
dicied the certain downfall ofthe Republic. Now,
thanks TO our gallant armies and their gallant
commanders-Gran the inhexible-Sherman the
conqueror-Sheridan the invineible--and all
their fearless compairiots on sea and shore-bui
one flag waves over the land--the flag that
Washington loved, and that Jackson, aud Scott
and Taylor adorned with their brilliant victories
the flag dearer 10 US In all its hours OF peril than
when gilded by the sunshine Of prosperity and
famed by the zephyrs ofpeaee, at last triumphant
unquestioned, unassailed. Six years ago, millions
OF human beings born ON American soil, created
by the same Divine Father, destined TO the same
eternal hereafter, were subject 10 sale like the
swine Of the sty or the beasts OF the field, and
our escuieheon was dimmed and dishonored by
the stain OF American Slavery. To-day auction
blocks, aud nianacles, aud whipplng-posts are,
thank God, things Of the past while the slave
himself has become the citizen, with the freed
mans weapon Of proiection-,he ballot In bis
joieing over this happy contrast, the human agen-
eies go potential in lis accomplishment. First
aud conspicuous among the rest rises before my
mind the tall form OF q martyred President
whose welcome step no mortal ear shall ever lis-
ten TO asain. Faithful 10 his oath, faithful TO
his country, faithful TO the brave armies his word
called TO the field, be never swerved hairs
breadth from bis determination to crush this
mighty rebellion, aud all that gives Il aid, and
comfort and support. Uujusily and bitterly
denounced by bis enemies and yours, as q usur-
per and depot; compared 10 Nero aud Caligula,
aud all other tyrants whose base deeds blacken
the page. Of history, your noble League Stood BY
him amid this tempest Of detFaetion, cordially
and 10 the end and you have now your abun-
dant vndcatiou and reward. Though the torch
Of slander was III at every avenue Of bis public
life while he lived, the civilized world would be-
come mourners At his coffin andwllh those libel
Gus tongues are hushed, our whole land enshrines
his memory to-day with The Father of,he County
he saved