New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-06-12
Cordial no THE LAST.

We think that Mr.. Colfax is entitled to con-
siderable credit for the resigned way in which
he received the condolences of the Indiana
delegates when they called upon HIM at Wash
ington. The gentleman has been badly
treated-there is no question about that; ana
it must have required no inconsiderabe de-
gree of philosophy for man in Mr.. Colfaxs
position TO profess such q cheerful acqules-
cence in the decision of the Convention. 1T
is very hard to see why Gen. Grant was en-
titled to a second term when Schuyler Colfax
was not harder still to contemplate with good
humor the denomination of the man who had
patronage to bestOw, and the rejection OF the
man who had none. We will do Mr. Colfax
the Justice to say that he made the best
speech under the circumstances which could
be made. 1t was a case Of the least SAID
the soonest mended, and he said very
little indeed. That he has found the
whole affair somewhat irritating it would be
denying him his share of human nature to
doubt; but that he did not let any sign OF
his irritation escape him, but upon the con-
trary, appeared to be excessively gratified,
proves that even in these degenerate days
Vice President need not be utterly devoid OF
the high old Roman spirit. We are instantly
reminded of the plucky Spartan Lad who
thrust the stolen fox under his neither gar
ments, and made no discovery, though the
animal was knawing his vitals
Although we have not said much about the
action of the Convention in snubbing Mr..
Schuyler Colfax, and in giving him to under
stand that he has outlived his political
usefulness, we have not ceased to regard that
action as exceedingly shabby. MIR. Coltax
may, to use his own words, Z" bow to the de-
"cision of the Convention without murmur
cor regret but we suppose that his friends
may also be allowed to murmur just little,
and to regret his i'll treatment good deal.
We have never known a case in which things
worked more unfortunately. Mr.. COlfax had
written letter expressing his willingness and
desire to retire from the Vice-Presidency, and
that he was in earnest in so writing nobody has
right to doubt This was a strictly private
letter. of which the Convention could have no
official knowledge but of course the extremely
good natured friend to whom 1t was written
Immediately put it into the newspapers. Even
then, Mr. Colfax had perfect right to revise
his decision, and to glide gracefully to the
status quo. Many active Republicans assured
him that his denomination or retiring was a
question for the party, not for himself, to de-
eide. He took a seat, if we may say so, quiz
city in the hold Of the vessel but his ship
mates found him and brought him up with
much cheering,-and threw him overheard
He says that it is all right; that he rather
than else likes his treatment; and if he does
like it why should his opponents complains
The truth is, Mr.. Colfax is by no means the
first public character who has been pitched
over the taffrail after this unceremOniOus
fashion. But, then, never was there a
Convention before in which there were
so much good feeling and gushing senti-
ment, so many fraternal expressions and
such unlimited hugging and kissing. A slight,
under ordinary circumstances, may be met by
the manly heart without finching; but
TO be left out in the cold when
everybody else is glowing in a friendly
atmosphere of 800 Fahrenheit! to be the I'M
loved one of the kissing and hugging multi
tude! to be snubbed when one partner is bend
ing under a saccharine shower of compliments!
to be forgotten OF remembered only to be neg
lected, when the memory of the COnven-
ton, as to the past, is unusually active! to be
called upon to retire when everybody else is
advancing! Certainly no party had right to
demand this Of any one, and least OF all had
the Republican party a right to demand this
of Mr.. Schuyler Colfax. We do not offer him
our sympathy. We thank him, however. We
can do no less than thank him for an example
of patient endurance, of self-sacrifice of resig-
nation, of love for those who have despitefully
used him.