Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1868-08-07
SCHUYLER coLFAx.
Enthusiastic Reception ct South Bend.
Special Telegram to the Journal. -, -.
ass.f SOUTH BEND, july 80.

Special Telegram to the Journal. ii, ..., 81. Il.
5000 SOUTH BEND, july 30
The special train from Chicago arrive d
at one o'clock, composed Of twenty.seven
cars, deusely packed. containing Mr.. Col
fax, Lieutenant Governor Bross, and 9TH
or celebrities, the delegations of the Tan
ners' organizations, about Eve thousand
strong, in uniform, the balance Of the
escort being made Up Of citizens Of Chioa-
go, literally reinforced along the route.
The train aud engine were gayly decora-
ted, and at every station demonstrations
were made by the people gathered there.
Laporte, where decorations were profuse.
A cannon was vigorously employed and
MIR. Colfax compelled to make speech.
The train left amid storms Of huzzas.
Over one thousand would-be excursionists
we're unable to find room in the traio, and
we're, per force, left behind. When the
train arrived in this city Mr.. Colfax was
met by the Mayor, the Reception Commit
tee, and the various Grant and Collar
Clubs, six hundred strong, Of the city, and
the citizens generally, who escorted him
to the fair grounds, followed by the vast
Ip:.ocession In carriages and on foot, the
bands laying IN the most yicsrious man
ner. When Mr.. Colfax mounted the
stand he was recei:ed with the most
copious and sffectionate demonstrations
Of regard. The line Of procession was
profuseIy decorated with Gags, banns.s,
devices, &c. Indeed, Mr.. Colfsx had
some difficulty in escaping from the afiec-
tiosste crowd aud reaching his carriage.
The Chairman of the County Committee,
Mr.. James Davis, caused two letters to be
read, one from Senator Morton and the
other from Governor Baker. The reading
Of these letters elected great applause.
Following came the welcome address by
Colonel Humphreys, Mayor Of South
Bend, welcoming in becoming and feeling
terms the return Of Colfax to his home.
Mr.. Colfax was visibly affected, and his
address, nearly Of an hours length, was
fervent aud impassioned. No Comments
were made on political questions, the speak.
err deeming that not in good taste. A
portion Of his speech was devoted to, m
expression Of his appreciation Of aud af-
fiction for that generous constituency
among whom he had grown to mans ss--
tate, and TO whom he owed. his all Of pub
lie honors. The speaker and hearers
were visibly affected, and it was not diff
cult 10 see men unused to the melting
mood yielding perceptibly. The tears
came not of grief, but Of gladusss and
deep feeling.
The crowd around the speakers was
fully $4,000, aud was most attentive and
enthusiastic audience.
After dinner Governor Bross, Of Illinois,
was introduced, and was making an inter
esting address wher a heavy and protrac-
ted rain storm put an emphatic quietus
on the busy scene, and dispersed the au-
dience for the balance Of the afternoon.
The rain, which was thorough and
drenching was suffered only to suspend,
not to put fnis to the enthusiasm Of
the people. The various Republican orr
CARNATIONS here-the German Grant. and
Coiax club, the German True Lights, the
American True Lights, the Senior and Ju-
nior American Grant and Colfax clubs,
etc.. etc.-began to get ready their lamps,
and at about eight O'Clock, duly uniform
ed with capes and lamps, aud with not
less than 0 thousand strong, paraded
through the principal streets, while the
private residences and business houses
were quite extensively illuminated, aud
displayed the national colors in the great
est profusion.
The procession marched back TO the
public square, where two monster meet
ings were organized and held, one In the
Court House, and the other in the Opera
Hall. The latter meeting numbered about
1000, and was addressed first by Major
William Williams, the eloquent repre-
sentative from the Tenth Indiana Dis.
trict, who gave highly satisfactory an
swer to Mr.. Hendricks question rs to
what became Of sundry hundreds and
millions Of dollars that he had been so
solcitous to know about. Mr.. Colfax
followed in felicitous speech Of about
ten nutes, as follows:
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: / suppose
you think that came here 10 make
speech, but you are somewhat disappoint-
cd. | think II is q popularity Of our
American people, more than any other
people in the world, that whenever they
can find a man in public life at a railroad
station, on a railroad train, or alta public
meeting, they insist that he shall make
speech. have spoken to you 90 often In
the years that are past in this beloved
city Of South Bend, that / think you are
weary Of hearing my voice. [Cries OF
"Neverl'] l have been making you
political speeches, and Sunday .school
speeches, and lectures, &C., ad infnitun,,
for many years past, and l believe you
have always been willing TO listen TO me
when had anything to say. You do not
know how | long In my heart to make
political speech tonight. Laughter and
cheers. If / could only have declined
the nomination at Chicago, and have aP-
pssred before you here rs y simple Repre-.
sentative in Congress, nothing more and
nothing less, / should like to dlssect the
Democratic platform daughter and cheers
from one end of il to the other; and as l
told you to-day, according TO my conyic-
lions of propriety, which neither my in
clinaiion nor your desires will induce me
TO forfeit, can not consistently, In 40.
eordance with what L believe is due from
me to those who have placed me in nomi.
nation before you.
But there is one theme on which can
speak. Ii Is the glorious record Of the
noble party Of which, for so many years, /
have been an humble advocate; whoss