The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1868-06-05
HON. SCHUYLER COLFAX.
The Next Vice President.
A BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.

Everybody knows the biography of the
Rext President, Ulysses 5. Grant by heart.
His name and his fame is a household word,
and we do not need TO repeat the incidents
OF his life. Schnyler Colfax, the nominee
upon our ticket for Vice President, though
well known, has not been so prominent a
subject for the biographer, and we therefore
append a sketch Of his career, as we find II
in the Washington Chronicle at Dllt
Schuyler Colfax was born on the 23rd Of
March, 1898, in New York city, and was the
only son Of a widowed mother. His father
was an officer Of one Of the New York city
banks, and died four months before the birth
OF Schuyler. In the veins Of the Speaker
runs the blood Of the revolutionary war.
Gen, ColfR1's wife was Hester Schuyler, a
cousin of Gen. Philip Schuyler, Speaker
Colfax received an ordinary common school
education, and then obtainee a eierkship in
a store. Aner three years service he re-
moved to Indiana with bis mother and her
second husband, a III. Matthews, aud settled
in st. Joseph county. For four years young
Schuyler served as q clerk 10 a store in the
little village Of New Carlisle, and when sew.
enteen years, upoN receiving an appointment
as deputy county auditor, removed to the
county seat, South Bend, where be has since
resided, Al an early age Mr.. COlfax COM
menced to take an active Interest In political
matters, and frequently published his views
upon the questions Of the day in the local
newspaper. lie sOon acquired reputation as
an able writer, aud In ls45 became editor
aud proprietor Of the St. Joseph Valley
Register, published in South Bend. Though
commencing with small means and a small
subscription list, the paper by It's general in
terest and the editorial ability displayed,
soon became remuneratiye Mr.. COlfax was
y Wing as long as there was a Wing party,
and at its death, like all its members Of
clear heads, progressive tendency and deeid-
ed character, he joined the Republican par
W. In the Wing party he bad risen to some
prominence, having been q delegate to and
one Of the secretaries Of the convention
which nominated General Taylor. Mr. Coll
fAX's irst nomination to Congress was in
1881, when he was beaten by 200 votes
said TO have been " cOlOnized." At the time
Of his second nomination, the Nebraska bill
was the most exciting issue before the eoun-
try, and the Representative from the district
having voted for IT, against the desires Of his
constituents, the Anti-NebraskR men imme-
diately selected Colfax TO take the lead in
furnishing the deiinqent, and elected him
by 1900 majority. When the Thirty-fourth
Congress met, there was a majority opposed
to TIE Administration, but this opposition
was Of inharmohious material. A famous
confession the SpeakeFsblp, e1tehding from
December 3, 1885, 70 February, 1856, resulted
in the election Of Mr.. Bauks-tbe first form
al r%ationAl triumph Of the national anti sla-
VERY sentiment. As. the Speaker has power
TO constitute the committees Of the Hoase,
who prepare and In a great measure decide
all the business, the result was gratifying,
and may be a;tributed in n great measure 70
the exertions Of NJ. Coliax, who, by a great
effort, succeeded 1EtNyiqg 6G the election Of
Mr.. Orr, a strong prO-slaVefy mas. La the
session Of 1856 Mr.. ColfaK delivered bis we'll
known speech Vn the bogus laws Of Kan
sss, which, WAS considered so able a SUM
mar, OF the case involved that during the
Presidential campaign OF that year half a
million copies were printed for distribution.
FrOm'the year 1856 up 10 the present time
Mr.. Colfsx has been successfully elected by
large mnjorities. @
hr.ColfaK was an enthusiasts supporter Of
Lincoln 10 the campaign Of 1860, A3d ~ long
as the latter lived he logsd, respected aud
trusted NJ. Collar, in whose ~jddeement he
placed such implicit confidence that Il has
been said be rarely took any steps Affecting
the interests Of The natiun without making
bis intentions known to him. In 1868, ".
Collar was chosen and haB dnce remained
Speaker Of fbs House Of Representatives, and
has acquired a high reputation as shreWd
and kindly chairman, sud = skilful parlia-
mentarian.