The Irish republic. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1867-18??, 1868-02-29
The Leading Men Of America.
SCHUYLER CoLFAx SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES,.
From the Cincinnati Gazette.

REPRESENTATIVES.
From the Cincinnati Gazette.
The name of Schuyler Colfax is mentioned in political
circles probable candidate for high honors OF course
hundreds studying his character with interest," ana
giving their views to the public This well in regard to
all who are presented the people for important positions
By combining these partial kenesses there formed what
may be called resultant picture which very nearly repre-
sens the The writer of this is inclined to present his
estimate of the Speaker because he not satisfied with any
of the representations which he has of the man, and
because he has had peculiar opportunities for forming
opinion. He boasts of intimate relations With Mr.
Coax and private friendship therefore, does not warp his
Judgment while he is not so far removed as to know HIM
only public officer.
The Speaker belongs that class whose power is nvar
ably moderated, until brought to test They
regarded simply good natured sunnyaced until
great occasion start to see smiles changed into
lightning.
He constitutionay aabe from genemanly instincts,
and Christian principle he is uniformly courteous This
is his familiar aspect and therefore he has been pre-
sented to the country prince of good nature and
aability CHEEKY sunny man, and we are left to inter- at
least that he not remarkable for force breadth and depth
of character.
Truthful as this is in regard his kindly disposition it
is total msconception of the Many, who have
only the surface of his mind ask Do you think Mr. Cofax
is great man,"
The will depend upon what mean by great
man" All greatness is not the same He has not the same
Calhoun They and their type of political greatness belong
to that has passed away If they could be brought
back Just they wer they could not be the leaders of this
Their intellectual power without the deep moral
conviction that this demands would be out of place In
our great conflict and worse than useless.
Many looking for the first time upon the Thirty
Congress- said "There really great men here Sub
sequently reflection changed their opinion and history will
yet record that in every element of real craftsmanship In
clear broad views of human rights and relations in Deep
moral convictions in all that constitute the heroic
character the leaders of the Thrtyninh Congress
superior to their predecessors and among them Mr. Cotax
was, and is, acknowledged leader.
They who met firmly the shock Of the most
formidable rebellion of modern times and crushed it. and
hen against the whole power of the Executive and great
party the North and the renspirited rebels conceived
executed safe plan for restoring the South and reuni
ing the country. Men capable of this great men, Now
the question of the capacity of Mr. Cox is best answered
by the fact that for three consecutive Congressional terms
and while the greatest questions presented to American
statesmen being discussed in time of extreme peril
these strong invited him to preside them, guide
their deliberations and WELD the great power of Speaker
when any grave mistake would have impered their party
and the country.
Many of the strong in the House could do perhaps
each in his sphere what the Speaker could not but In
the administrative ability needed in his high poston-in
the power guide the great mental forces OF the House,
reach resun the faculty of seeing at glance the
true aspect of difficult case and of prompt decision in that
act which uitve perception of what is needed
and how it be DONE Mr. Coax has superior among
our public men, in the House or elsewhere
Standing the front line of principle, he not dis
posed attempt all right things once; but with the eye
fixed the ultimate goal asks what is practicable
His convictions firm moral and religious basis and
therefore he is likely change He is OF the best
living representatives of the American type of mind
thoroughly practical working right the definite ends with
great executive force and endurance and an unwear
attention the details of business In higher position
he would be dealing still with the questions with which
ne is already familiar he would be associated with the same
whose deliberations he has presided long, and
he would bring the conduct of affairs the same clear
perceptions the power of prompt decision the same
exquisite and frmness that have distinguished MIN as
Speaker and whether this kind of greatness is needed by
the country now each must decide for himself
Captain Mayne Reid.
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