New-York tribune., 1868-12-21
-nvIrR coLFAx IN PHILADELPHIA

1v.crrr rCLrB-HOUsE-SPRECH
DiNNL" ~ ~ TIN yICE-PREslDENI ELL'i
,,,, Dec. 20.-AbOut one hundred
IHILApIi' 80 I-nlop League Club sat down vain inc
+oa scbuvler CofaX on sa'uu"S ,s o,ons s.uatassio,.
liOo' 5'uu! , represenng the learned proIeSslohs'
inon " olass Of industrial pursuits were anonh INC
ana ever ey Gen sickIes, Gen Meade, eX-Gov' curtin,
Danquc', orv were honored guests. The Hon Morton
tnu al Mayor Of the City, presided Aiter suiup
~ hin of fare had been discussed mayor McMeh"ol
.osed the health Of the distinguished guest 'ne non
tbnvler Colfax, at the same ume deiiNeim8 q snoiV
ch s,arkljne throughout with eloquence Ihe pre-
80, ,ffcer reviewed the public services OF MI CoiIax
80, tr,red his character and assigned as the sole
drork Of his success the sterling personal qualities
na man and the conservation of his life to the cause
~ ,oau rights In response to this truthful and
tsbIy complimentary speech and to the vehement ap-
,,i,pse with which he greeted, Mr.. COlfaX said
Mn CHNRMAS AND GENTLEMEN OF THE UNION LEAGUE:
Ills no ordinary pleasure, and regard 1t as no ordinary
honor 10 enjoy the hospitalites OF an Organization so
nly famed 0r Its good words and work during all the
Gears O existence Ever the side OF the nation and
the nations interest-ever OuspOken for Liberty Loyalty
and Iaw-s trumpet has never given forth uncertain
s,und and it's members have never wearied in we'll
doing There is majesty in the voice OF great people
oe potential than the decrees from throne 1t Is like
the voice Of many waters drowning al other sounds III
like the thunder rolling aloug the sky, which purfes
fhe atmosphere II is tie command OF nation, which
all within its limits must heed and respect What that
atterance of the 81 OF November IL is not difficult
20 understand. II ratified the platform OF principles
enunoated at Chicago and which had been cordially In
dorsed by both OF your candidates IN their letters or
acceptance But more than this, to all who
denounced the Reconstruction measures of Congress
unconstitutional, revolutionary, and y0d-to all VINO
suggested their repeal by the bayOnetto all who had
dhonored the country D countless murders OF deense
less men Tor her love OF the UniOn-tO all who boasted
Oi devotion to the Lost Cause"-t spoke with the
mandiDg voice OF authority "PEACE BE STILL" But
with the peace which 1t thus demands, 1t brings prosper
Y. with the laws OF the land respected and Obeyed
with protection 10 all assured and with confidence thus
restored, Immigration aud capital VIII open new aud
bnghter 20 the enfanchsed and regenerated South
with the East the North and the West in the trumphal
march Of National progress and power Nor this all
voice OF the people proclaimed that para
and Rights of ali its czens even TO the bublest
Hnd that American citizenship must protect all entitled
its protection, AT home and abroad It reafrmed ito
uuOte the language OF the Chicago resoutOnl the
ruucipes Of impartial justice and equal rights
hd down IN tie immortal Declaration OF lndo'
poudence as the true foundation OF dem
ucratic government haIling with gadness every
effort toward making these principles living reality on
every inch OF American soil and with Wise ana geh9I
oas nsguannity. too ltte appreciated heretofore by
responsible for the bOodshed and anguish or our
late war 1t declared IN favor OF thc rtola oi ~ us
qualifications IN the measure as the spirit o dlsloy
ATTY may de out and as may be consistent M mt Wltn 'Hs
The people, thus spoken imposed grave duties aud re
spOnsbities All whom II clothed with public trusts
u demands the most searching retrehchmeht IKE that
whioh signalzed the administration. 10y It's President
ect. Of one of the Governmental Departments which
nrusted 10 his hands. II demands honesty and ef
cenoy, and higher character OF al who are TO be cou-
nay longer be required 10 bear the burdens OF the dis
honest well as his own. With President whose car
aud not thwarted or nulhed, the nation may hope that
)ns subOrdinates VIII exhibit a fidelity to duty
akin their chief IL demands strict
and rigid guardianshp OF tile Nations Treasury against
all unwiSe aud eXtTavagaDt schemes IL demands q n
nancial policy which shall maintain. unmpaired and
untarnished credit the right OF the country IN
times OF peril which shall appreciate currency, and
which shall finally place the firm rock OF specie
payments. With all this secured by the administration
of the great commander the people called
govern tho land which, under Providence, he saved not
only shall forfy and continue the political ascend
sney which the people have decreed but all parties and
oil sectOgs Will be able To rejoice Republic takes
that foremost place among The nations OF the earth to
whioh Tee institutions vast resources and
unparalleled industrial advancement now beckon us.
Speeches were also delivered by Gen sickles, Gov.
Geary eX-GOv. Curtin the Hon. Messrs W. ID. Kelley,
Gslusha A. Grow Charles O'Nel. and Leonard Myers.
Bnd X Mcclure and Wayne McNeaeh. esqs At "a o'clock
hr COltax met several hundred members OF the League
ia the parors OF the League House whom response
10 repeated calls, he delivered a short address.