Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1869-01-15
COIfax at Springfield, Mass.

THE reception OF our eACelleno ~
President elect, Schuyler Colfax, at the
pleasant rooms of the Springfield CLUB, IN
Shaws Block, last evening, was in every
way satisfactory. Before the announced
hour of o'clock, the 'parlors were occu,
pied by the gentlemen OF the club, anu
many of the best men and falrest women
of this city, rich as it is in these respects.
And large but most civil crowd had
gathered around the rooms when, shortly
after s, Mr.. Colfax, with his wife on his
arm, entered under the guidance of his
host, since Christmas Eve, MIR. Samuel
Bowles. Soon, on taking their station in
the long sale, began the long martyrdom
of handwriting. Mr.. Colfax is surely the
most popular of our public men, and justly
so, for the people know him as that rare
character, one over whom political life has
cast no shadow of dishonor. Last night
he stood there, grasped the hands OF some
5000 people, with always a genial and
natural smile, and often quick pleasan-
try, and, despite the wearisome ordeal, he
looked the most enviable of men. Espe-
cially SO, when one looked on the coun-
tenance of the lady at his side. Mrs. Col
fax has face of fine intellectual beauty,
and dignifed and affable grace as win
ming as her husbands; and as ready for
the friendly touch of each hand. For she
paid the full penalty of wedding servant
of the people, and all there had smile
and bow from both. 1t will please the
women folk to know that the necklace of
pearls she wore was her husbands wed
ding gift, and her dark hair was
adorned with coronal of pure
white blossoms. Meantime as the long
array, only to be counted by thousands,
defiled in and out again, the armorers,
with their good band, rendered Mr.. Colfax
the compliment of a serenade in the street
below, and, after some appropriately Sc
lected music, they too, joined the crush
above. At about o'clock President FL.
S. Hyde, of the club, call for order, and,
while Mrs. Colfax gratefully accepted a
seat, the Vice President mounted chair,
and spoke briefly and gracefully, thus:
81 am very glad to have the opportu
nifty of looking into your faces and re-
ceiving your greetings, as l have done for
the minutes have spent in this club room
this evening. I have to thank the club
who have so honored me in rendering the
use of their pleasant rooms, the ladies of
the city, and the armorers who with their
band have given me the additional COM
pliment of serenade. l came here to
visit an old friend, with whom / have
twice made long trips, once across the
continent, and again almost as far, riding
on the plains, climbing the mountains,
chased by Indians-all in company; and
I came, as said, to have quiet time
as see it is here tonight. 1t is the mis-
fortune of public men that they seem to
belong to the public; they cannot attend
New England dinner or make a Christ
mas visit, without being called upon for a
speech. And yet it is good fortune, too,
to behold here the beauty and grace of
Springfield, and its strength, too, the
sturdy sons of toll. All the emotional
part of my nature is with the ladies'
naturally so, under my present circum-
stances-all the patriotic part goes out
to these armorers who, in our civil strife,
armed a regiment each day. am
glad again to visit New England; unfor-
tunately, as said in New York the other
night, was not born in New England,
nor was my ancestry thence, but have re-
ceived SO many and SO great kindnesses
here, that may feel myself New Eng
lands, if not by birth, yet surely by cleo
ton. 1t is not fitting that should speak
here of the questions which have, of late,
divided our country. If should follow in
GUe pdIu VI LILY SiOes1 CalOl, 0CuCA Oh vi oup
beside whose name mine stands, it might
be as well. But, General Grant has
spoken so well in his deeds that he no
! doubt thinks it needless to use words, and
| so leaves that to my share. And upon
this Christmas Day, which commentaries
so blessed and joyous an event. and around
which cling only cheerysand happy asso-
Citations; on which people of every nation
and cline of the Christian world, in what
ever they differ, agree in rejoicings-it is
right to say en- this anniversary that we
are all happy; in our nation, in the recog-
milton accorded her throughout the world,
and in our chosen President. Yes, every
loyal heart is happy tonight; General
Grant is happy; lam happyl"
This little speech was interspersed with
occasional cheers and laughter at the good
points, some of which were emphasized by
the presence of the speakers wife. Then
| the hand shaking recommended, and con.
tinued for some two hours more.-Spring.
field (MasS.) Republican.