The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1868-06-02

tlonS are In many deliberate nOOleS OF
much greater pretensions of the present
day. The Hon. John D. Defrees, now
Superintendent of Government Printing,
and for many years editor and proprie-
tor of The indianapolis Journal, to which
Mr. 7Colfax was also attached as Senate
Reporter for some time after he com
menced the publication of The Register,
was also participant in these debates.
They were both Wings, both ardent and
sincere advocates of, and believed in the
temperance reform, and were conse-
quently seldom pitted against each other
in these debates. The attachment formed
at this early day between those gentle
men still continues with unabated fervor.
In 1913, Mr.. Colfax was chosen as a.
delegate, and elected as Secretary of the
Convention which nominated Gen. Tay-
lor for the Presidency. In 1850 he
represented ST. Joseph County in the
Convention which framed the present
vention he opposed, with all his ability,
the adoption of the clause prohibiting
free colored men from settling in the
State. His opposition to this measure
year when nominated for Congress, in
opposition to Dr.. Fitch. But, with all
the ability, tact. and shrewdness of this
old political wire worker, he only dis
tanced his young competitor 200 votes,
in district which had been strongly
Democratic for years. In 1852 he was
again delegate to the Whig Notional
Convention. He took an active part in
the campaign which followed, speaking
often and writing much. In 1854, when
the 'sgreat deep of Indiana Democracy
was broken up, and the old Hunkers
laid in grave in which it is hoped they
may never be resurrected, he was renom-
mated and elected to Congress, and was
consequently more active than ever be-
fore. His experience as a debater, and
familiarity with State and National poll
tics, rendered him an overmatch for his
opponents, whom he was always anxious
to meet in an open and fair discussion
before the people. where he was always
certain of a victory. In 1856 he was
again nominated for Congress, and re-
elected by handsome majority. His
entrance into Congress was in the midst
of the great struggle over the Lecomton
swindle. A writer says of his maiden
speech in the House: ellis first speech
in Congrers went forth to repel the tide
of terror which was sweeping over
Kansas, ard clearly showed
that even then he was one of the best
debaters in the Lower House." Over
500, 900 copies of this speech was prin
ted and circulated "a compliment per-
haps never before received by any
member of Congress. He was first
chosen Speaker of the XXXVIIIth
Congress by vote Of 10l to 81. He
has been thrice elected to the same po-
sition, each time by an increased major
ity. He was appointed Chairman ofgthe
Committee on Post Offices and Post
Roads on the Organization of the Xxx
With Congress, and did much to extend
mail facilities throughout the West.
He was one Of the first advocates, and
is still one of the warmest friends of the
Pacific Railroad. Indeed, he takes q
warm interest in any movment looking
to the Development of the boundless
resources OF the great West. It was,
doubtless, the interest he feels in this
section of the country which induced
him to take his celebrated trip ssAcross
the Continent" His trip was a periions
one, but his welcome at ..the other end !
Of the line was so spontaneous, truly +.
genuine, and heartfelt that it more than
repaid bin' for all the dangers and hard
ships he passed through This trip pre-
pared him for one of the most entertain
ng lectures ever delivered in this
1t has been listened to with
"rapt attention by the people of almost
very city of the North. Pecuniarily,
however, it has profited him but little,
or with that liberality which has ever
'een marked trait of his character,
he entire proceeds of lecture have as
'ften been donated to some charitable .
inject as they have found their way into
lis own pocket He has now served in
uccession Ia years in tie House. He
vas urged but ne declined to accept
eat IN the United States Senate, pre-
errins his presiding chair in the House.
Is presiding officer he was Que of the
most popular the House has had since
Henry Clay. A writer in s.Putnam's
Magazine truly observes that Mr. Col
ak ''has no eccentricities. but great tact.
lis talents are administrative and ovo