Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1868-10-14
Eloquent and Noble Speech Of
Schuyler Coifax.
Achievements Of the Republican Party.


inst, at La Favette, Indiana. 1t was
a magnificent ovation to Indiana's fa-
verite son, the popular Speaker of the
House of Representative and the
prospective Vice President of the
United States, Hon. SCHUYLER Col
FAX. The number of people in atten-
dance Is said to have been 10000, in
cluding whole armies of Fighting
Boys in Blue. When Mr.. CoIfax ap-
peared on the platform he was greeted
with unbounded and enthusiastic
cheers. After some Introductory re
marks. Mr.. Colfa1 said:
I came here for another purpose
1t was not to make political speech
1t IS unnecessary. I on know right
well, as you read the newspapers.
what my opinions are on the great
questions of the day. | have felt
that selt-respect and propriety forbid
my entering the political arena to an
alvze, discuss and criticise the princi
pies and policy of those arrayed
against US. | will not deny that
| have longed thus to speak in this
campaign, but / have felt that
when persons are selected for the two
highest Offices IN the nation. as they
are indeed the highest in the world a
sense of propriety should restrain
them from bitter or personal attacks
or criticisms on the position and char
acter Of opposing candidates. " hat
ever, therefore, others may do, | must
be faithful to my own convictions. and
avoid such a course. In regard to
the principles, policy, platform and
letters of the Democratic candidates
and party my lips shall be sealed
But there is one subject on which
my lips are not, and never can be,
sealed, until sealed IN death, and that
is the glorious record made by this
noble, patriotic Republican party.
That record viii stand forever, writ
ten IN letters Of living truth and light,
on the most brilliant pages Of our
country's history. OF this record |
can feel and say as YOU can, let pos
terIty Judge. Oh what record it is.
" hen this country was racked TO its
very center by the shock of contend
ing armies When the degenerate
sons Of the country raised their rebel
Iious hands against our flag; When
men proved themselves unworthy of
their birth. and sought to trample in
the dust that banner of beauty aud
glory; When they sought to make
it the winding sheet of the worlds
hopes. there was one party among
whose numbers not single man was
unfaithful to the constitution and
flag, and that was the Republican
party. Where, | ask, would have
been the country to-day if there had
been no Republican party? ! on
would not have had a country left to
be proud of. Our country lives, be
cause we dared 10 stand up and say
the last man and the last dollar shall
go If necessary to put down this in
ternal conspiracy. We knew this
war would build up a large public
debt and we knew that tax laws
must be passed to pay it. We knew
these things were unpopular, but we
said this Is necessary for the salvation
of our dear land, and must be done.
Y our Representative and ! said if il
drives us into private life we viii
vote for these tax bills, for only by
these can our banner be kept flying in
the field
| don't speak to-day to gain votes.
!, = |
disposed to do so. The result of the
election Is Just as certain as if the
votes were already counted out IN
November (Great applause.) " hen
the time came. IN the progress of the
war. that conscriptIon was necessary,
we knew how unpopular draft must
be bnt our soldiers were dying from
sickness in hospitals, and being shot
down by rebel bullets, and we found
this was the only way to keep our
ranks full We had but one motive,
and that was to save our country =
and your Representative and | said
that though the act drive US into pri-
vatt life. our vote shall be recorded
in favor of anv and every law neces-
tn. ponsFoilitv and the country
was saved, and you rejoice over that
salvation TO day, and do not regret
that the essential means were used
" had TO levy interna taxes to pay
the pnblic debt, but we are reducing
he taxes every year, and they viii
be further reduced everv,year until we
viii tax luXurie. and imported ar
tIcles only. The time will soon come
when this viii be sufficient TO meet
the wants of the Government.
That is not al, but it is enough TO
crown with eternal glory and honor
those who stand in the gap; ; to risk
al for the salvation of the country.
But that Is not all Oh. no. Let us
look still farther az the record of thi.
party You know how, for years and
wears, We hid our faces IN shame be
cause Of that greatest of all disgraces.
American slavery When that insti-
tuition, the sum of all villaine.. had
plunged the country into terrible
civil war, after three wears Of forbear-
ance, Mr.. Lincoln issued his proclaim
alton declaring that # the southern