Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1868-06-05
Schuyler Colfaxs First Congress ionsl
Speech.

Speech.
Those who have read the Democi at. w.
I doubtless remember that about year ssO
we suggested the name OF Schu, Ter Collar
as the most popular nomination that eouh
be made Tor the next Vice Presileue- w
did this. in connection with the name o
Names most distinguished son, Hanniba
Hamlin for the Presidency. PUblc sent
ment had not at that time, very gene "a u
settled down upon Gen. Grant, and we - 4
incline TO the opinion then expressed; tina
IL the nominees for the Presidency had b ec
taken from among the civilians OF the coun
try, Mr.. liamIin would have stood more
than an even chance TO have been nomin
ated.
We first became acquainted With Mr..
Coliax a, the assembling OF the Stth Con
crcss. in December 1885. This was Ia,
first appearance in the House Of RePresen
faiivcs. a young man bat b wears OF age
Modest and NJ assumins. he entered upon
the discharge OF las official duties. We
well remember the first speech Mr. CoiiaS
ever made in the National Capitol; IT ~as
not in the House bat in the caucus OF u.
Mon mentor the republican party was
not ihen formed The Hou'e had been Tor
weeks irving TO combine The Anu NeLra,-
ka element. 80 as to elect speaker. The
opposition to the Nebraska Democracy was
in a majority. but 1t was composed OF all
political stripes and compilations. There
were old free soil wings. Anti Nebraska
democrats, straight wing. Know No;hinss.
both Northern and Southern Abolition.
lists. AL Independents with nambcr OF
members elected on their own hook who
stood slooi. from all organization. Up to
this time, this Heterogeneous opposition. bad
been voting IN the House Tor Banks. Lew
Campbell Fuller. Of Peana., Grow Of the
same State Humph. Marshall OF Kentucky,
Smith and Gilman. OF y Car, and about
dozen others Tor speaker. 1t had not had
the courage TO get together ~ 4 caucus, At
all, for tear ats combusiihlc clcme nis would
blow up. and put an end TO ali hopes Of {.
leciinc ap opposition speaker. some sew
eut, FIVE Of their men found { as the boy de-
clare in thunder storm That something
hal got 20 bee done, SO taking III re,pon
sibiliIy they assembled lal the 6f.l time a.
n cau,us Howard Of Michigan. was in
the chair CoI'sN was Secretary. -sp, ecles
were nslc by different members majority
OF whom seemed to stick to their own pc
cunar notions. things looked dark the most
hop-'al became dcsponding when Schuy-
Ter CoilaN Young man then Astnos, un.
known among I,is peers arose ana made hi,
first congressional r-aucu~ speech
H. had not spoken long before be bad
the attention OF every member of the con-
veniion. Hi, earnest. STRAIT forward prac
teal logic warmed bya glow Of Wc.tern
fire, seemed TO carry conviction 20 every
mind. Co'iax struck the Key note OF a
union, !or he sake oi the Union \ fur.
ther cons altation was Lad, -membo-s a gree
10 bury their old party sectional preJndice-
aud 60 together, and as a grand result.
Na;hI z Banks was elected speaker of the
House.
We vel !, member remark OF iLAt gal.
liant olL leader OF freedom forces. Joshua
r. GiJdugs As wc were retiring from the
meeting young man. referring to
Collar. viii ye; make hi, marx in our Va.
ton4l history
20 d Gil" ~ he vas then iaminarly call.
ed. wa an excellent Judge OF caarA CT and
IN Coiias's case. 81, words have passed IN.