The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1868-09-03

Lower House" Over 500, 900 copies of
this speech were printed and circulated
a compliment perhaps never before re-
ceived by any member of Congress. He
was first chosen Speaker of the Thirty
eighth Congress by q vote of 1O1 to 81.
He has been thrice elected to the same
position, each time by an increased major
ity. He was appointed Chairman of the
Committee on Post Offices and Post Roads
on the organization Of the XXXVIIth
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 Rail-
read. Indeed, he taxes a warm interest in
any movement looking to the development
of the boundless resources of the great
West. 1t was, doubtless, the interest he
feels in this section OF the country which
induced him to take his celebrated trip
''Across the Continent" His trip was a
perilous one, but his welcome at the
other end OF the line" was so spontaneous,
truly genuine, and heartfelt that it more
than repaid him for all the dangers and
hardships he passed through. This trip
prepared him for one Of the most enter
tanning lectures ever delivered in this
country. 1t has been listened to with
wrapt attention by the people of almost
every city in the North Pecuniarily,
however, 1t has profited him but little, for
with that hberality which has ever been
marked trait IN his character, the entire
proceeds Of a lecture have as often been
donated to some charitable object as they
have found their way into his own pocket.
lie has now served IN succession II years
IN the House. He was urged but he de-
clIned to accept a seat in the United States
Senate, preterring his presiding chair in
the House As a presiding officer he is
the most popular the House has had since
Henry Clay. \ writer in Putnam's
Magazine" truly observes that Mr.. Colfax
has no eccentricities, but great tact. His
talents are administrative and executive,
rather than deliberative. He would make
good appointments, and adopt sure policies.
He would make a better President, or
| Speaker Of the House, than Senator. He
knows men well, estimates them correctly,
| treats them all fairly and candidly. No
man will get through his business with you
in fewer minutes, and yet none IS more
! free from the horrid 6rusq4eatess of busy
men," There are heart and kindness In
| Mr. Colfax's politeness. Men leave his
presence with the impression that he is at
once an able, honest, and kind man Po-
| litical opponents like him personally, as
well as his political friends. We have
never heard that he has any enemies.
The breath of slander has been silent
toward his fair, spotless fame The wife
of his youth after being for long
time an invalid, sank to her final rest
several years ago, leaving him childless.-
His mother and sister preside at his re-
ceptions, which for many years have been,
not most brilliant, but the most popular of
anv given at the Capital Socially, Mr..
Colfax is frank, lively, jolly. 1t may
be that he feels his oats in some degree,
but dignity hasn't spoiled him. The ev-
erlasting I-hood and Us-ness of great men
is forgotten in his presence. His manners
are not quite so familiar as those of Lin
coin, but nearly So They are gentle, ma
tural, graceful, with bird-like or business
quickness Of thought and motion. But
they are very far from the high and mighty
style of Sumner, or the Judicial GOODNESS OF
| Fessenden, Sherman, and Trumbull.-
Though manly, they are genial and win
ming. American mothers believe in Schuy-
Ter Colfax There are more babies named
for him than any public man since Clay.
The intimacy and confidential relations of
Mr.. Colfax with Mr. Lincoln are well
known. They labored hand in hand as
brothers in the cause of the Union, holding
frequent and protracted interviews on all
subjects looking to the overthrow Of the
Rebellion, for there were no divisions be-
tween the executive and legislative branch
es OF the Government then as there are
now. During the darkest hours of that
bloody drama which shall ever remain a
reproach upon the people Of one section of
the nation, they were ever cheerful and
hopeful. Confident in the business of the
war waged for the preservation Of the I'm
ion, and placing a Christian reliance in
that providence which guides and shapes
the destiny Of nations, great reverses,
which caused others to fear and tremblc,
at times, almost to despair, seemed only to
; inspire them with greater zeal and a frmer
belief in the ultimate triumph Of our
cause.
| Mr. Colfax is rather under the medium
= hight, with form firmly and compactly
} nodded. His hair is brown, now slightly
: sprinkled with grey; eyes blue; forehead
5 high and arching, indicating great percep-
tive faculties, and deep yeneration. His
: face Is open and frank, and as yet unmark-
: ed by age. He possesses great vitality,
r and can endure an extraordinary amount
5 of labor with but little fatigue. This,
e coupled with his temperate habits, has
/ caused him to wear his age so well that but
5 few persons would place him even at 40.
+ He is yet in the prime and vigor OF man
i hood, with all his cares and Responsibilities,
n as buoyant as most people at 80
/