Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1868-06-12

one of the most entertaining lectures ever
delivered in this country. 1t has been
listened to with wrapt attention by the
people of almost every city Of the North
Pecuuiarily, however. Il has prcfited him
but little. for with that liberaliiy which
has ever been a marked trait of his charac-
ter, the entire proceeds of a lecture have
as often been donated TO some charitable
object as they havo found their way Into
his own pocket lie has now served in
succession II years inthc House. He was
urged but he declined to accept seat in
the United States Senate, preierring his
presiding chair in the House. Asa pre-
siding officer he was one of the most po pu-
lar the House has had since Henry Clay
A writer in "Putnams Magazine" truly
observes that Mr.. Cplfax "has no eccen-
tricties, but great lact His talents are
administrative aud executive. rather than
deiiberative lie would make good ap-
pointments, and adopt shure politics. lie
would make 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 iu
fewer minutes, and yet none is more free
from the horid brusqHeness Of busy men
There are heart and kindness il Mr.. Col
fax's politeness. Men leave his presence
with the Impression that he is at onse an
able, honest, and kind man. Political
opponents like him personally, as we'll as
his political friends. We have never
heard that he has any enemies. The
breath of slander has been silent toTards
his fair, spotless fame. The wife Of his
youth, after being for long time an in
valid, sank to her final rest several years
ago, leaving him childless. His mother
aud sister preside at his receptions, which
for many years have been, not the most
brilliant, but the most popular of any given
at the apital. Socially, Mr. Col6x is
frank, lively. jolly. 1t may be tht he
feels his oats in some degree, but dignity
hasn't spoiled him. The everlasting l.
hood and us-ness of great men is forgot
ten in his presence. His names are
not quite so familiar as those of lincoln
but nearly so. They are gentle, ratural,
graceful with a bird.like or business like
quickness OF thought aud motion. But
they are very far from the high and
mighty style of Sumner, or the judicial
coidness of Fesscndeu, Sherman, aud
Trumbull. Though manly, they are
genial and winning. American mother.
believe in Schuyler Colfax. There are
more babies named for him than for any
public man since Clay" The intimacy
and confidential relations of Mr. Colfax
with Mr.. Lincoln are we'll known. They
labored hand in hand as brothers in the
cause of the Uuion, holding frequent and
protacted interviews on all subjects look
ing TO the overthrow of 'he Rebellion, for
there was no divisions between the execu.
tive and legislative branches of the Gov
ernment as there arc now. During the
darkest hours OF that bloody drama whici
shall ever remain a~ssproach upop ths
people of Que seciionof the-<nation, the,
were ever cheerful and hopeful. Conf
dent in the justnesS OF the war waged foI
the preserv alton of the Union, and placing
Christian reliance in that proyidenc,
with guides aud shapes the destiny of ma
tions, great reverscs, which caused other.
to fear aud tremble, at times, almost to de
spair, seemed only to inspire them with
greater zeal aud tirmer belief in the ulti
mate triumph of our cause.
Mr.. Coliax is rather under the medium
hight, with form firmly aud compactly
nodded. His hair is brown, now slightly
sprinkled with grey; eyes blue; forehead
high aud arching, indicating great per
ceptive faculties, and deep yeneratIon
hls face is open aud Frank. aud as yet un.
marked by age. lie possesses great vital
ity, aud can endure an extraordinary
amount Of labor with but little fatigue
This, coupled with his temperate habits
has caused him TO wear his age SO wei
that but few persons would place him even
at 40. lie is yet In the prime aud vigol
Of manhood, with all his cares and re
sponsibIlIiies, as buoyant as most people
20.