The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1872-04-19
From the Indianapolis Daily Sentinel
COLFAA vs.. DEFREES.
A Card from Hon. John ID. De.
frees.

d To THE EDITOR "A friend at Soutl
cBend sent me the South Bend TRIBUNE
'fof the 3Cth ultimO, containing an edito
srlal article in relation to Mr.. Colf;.x's
dcoursc toward me, TO which l " ish to re-
l-ply.
a l never wrotc,n nor prepared to be writ
ten single word about that matter.
/ have never even mentioned il in conycr.
l-Isation, except when called upon to do
yso by some friend who desired to learn
cIthe truth in regard to it.
The character of your article, bearing
on its face an impress of having been
J. written by authority, is the only reason
I why now notice it.
: Speaking Of the Senatorial caucus
(which nominated Mr.. Clapp for Con-
eIgressional Printer, it says:
h 1T was suddenly called, and its work
iIquickly done, SO quickly indeed, that
Mr.. Colfax knew nothing of it for some
Itime afterward, and soon as business en-
gagemcnts would permit, went to con-
dole with Mr.. Defrees over the unexpec-
ted action of the Senate, and assure him
that. had he known of it, he would have
thrown his whole influence against it,"
This is not true. Mr.. Coltax did not
come to see ME, nor has he ever said or
written one word to me ON the subject.
\ You continue:
+" Starting with words of sympathy on
his lips, he was met almost ut his own
door by messenger from Mr.. Defrees,
returning presents that Mr.. Colfax had
made and bearing an insulting message"
This is also untrue. i did not send a
messenger to Mr.. Colfax bearing an in
-ulting, or any other kind of message;
nor did send message at all
The truth is just this. and no one
knows ii better than Mr. CoIlax:
AT that time d great many of our
friends from Indiana were in the city,;
They were surprised at the action of the
caucus, and called at our house to ex-
press their regret at the result.
Many Of them. knowing the intimacy
which had for years existed between us,
very naturally enquired what Mr.. Col
fax had to say, and whether he had call
ed to see about it in any way. We were
10 say that, though passing
our house Oh his way TO and returning
from the Capitol several times. he had
not called. nor had he written a word in
About 3 or 9o'clock on the evening of
the day after The caucus, Mns. Deirccs.
becoming incensed that he had shown
such want OF interest in tie affair, sent
Mr.. Coiax card on which was printed
. Mr.. and Mrs. John ID. Defrces.' on the
i II h:ch she endorsed the follow
lie from Soiomon's proverbs, which she
thought peculiarly applicable:
coincidence in al uniaithful man in
time OF trouble, is like u broken tooth,
or Il foot out OF joint
" Nith the card she returned several
small presents that had been given to
her by Mr.. CollaX.
On the following day Mr. Colfax was
Informed by a friend Of his and mine.
BY my authority, that lie was not bam-
,d Tor not using his influence TO prevent
HE action OF The caucus {; but because he
had not shown any interest in the result .
liter il had taken place, and that the
.ard and presents had been sent to him
Dy Mrs. Dcfrees, of her own accord,will,- .
,ut my approval, and much to my re-
,ret. (;
To this explanation, given i'm all kind
less, he simply remarked that, as my
lame is OIL the card (the "Mr." had not
'cen erased by Mrs. d. l must be re-
ponsible. OF course at once assumed
he responsibility. and since then there $
has been no intercourse between us, and {
10 one acquainted with me need be as !
ured that there never will bc again.
You say.
In political circles, while il is known e
hat hc (Deirces) is working to nomin- !
te Senator Wilson for Vice President
| the Philadelphia Convention, il is al I
0 known that he is openly for Hen {
ricks against Grant and Coliax, and is 7
liking an active part in running the Gin 9
innati Convention" ,
1t is true that have expressed a wish q
Dr. the nomination OF Mr.. Wilson, but.
: do not intend supporting the ticket !
hen made, l have nothing TO do in ma .
ing il. Il
] am not openly or secretly for Mr..
hendricks for President. though have
rcat regard for him as a talented. high h
lindcd and honorable gentleman, whom d
have known for many years. Id
am in favor of the election TO the $
rcsidency of one who now is and has III
cen Republican from the formation In
t the party, and who has brains and in N
'lligcncc enough TO be so from convic- h
on and not rs matter of convenience. |
My opposition 10 Gcnl. Grant is not
{ recent date. | was opposed to his
omination in 1853. did not then ioin i
, the cry. "that it was u party necessity
; take him So as to prevent his nomin-
ton bv the Democratic party | did
OF wish 10 place the great Republican =
ariv ia tic Lilmiliuiin insilinn nrn. L.