Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1872-04-04
Defrees and Colfax.

Two weeks ago we copied an extract from a let
ter of correspondent of the Cincinnati Times and
Chronicle, rejecting upon the conduct of Mr.. Col
fax towards Mr.. Defrees in 1869, and made some
comments upon the statements therein made. We
did this because it expressed substantially what we
had heard said by neutrality-suspicious. who are
entitled to respect-who have always been friends
of Mr.. Colfax, and whose word we did not doubt.
They may have been misled by their imformers,
and our information may have been incorrect: but
it would require great faith in the word of any man
to make us believe that Mr.. Defrees would, with
out he supposed he had the very best reasons treat
Mr.. Colfax as the South Bend Tribune saws he did.
The following is what the Tribune says, in COM
menting upon the article referred to above:
ave give the above article from the Plymouth
REPUBLICAN of last week place in our columns
to correct its Misrepresentation and to defend Mr.
Cofax against one of the most unustifiabe attacks
made upon BIN during his whole public career-in
that it is made by one who his life long friend
for Mr.. Defrees was firm friend of Mr.. Colfaxs
up to few days after the Inauguration in 1868,
worked for his nomination to the Vice Presidency
at the Chicago Convention, not only as a party
man but as warm bosom friend, and was to GER
tam degree instrumental in securing his nominal
ton, yet we think not 80 than scores of 9TH
ers of Mr. Colfaxs friends were
| At the time of the Inauguration Mr. Defrees held
the Office of Congressional Printer This officer is
elected by the Senate. Mr.. Defrees had had differ
ences with Senator Morton, Hamlin, and others of
that body, and few days after the Inauguration
Senatorial caucus was held to choose officers of the
Senate and through the exertions of these Senator'S
Mr.. Clapp, of New York, was chosen Congressional
Of
denly called and its work quickly done-so quick
ly, indeed, that Mr.. Cofax knew nothing OF it for
some time afterwards and soon as his business en-
gagements would permit went to condole with Mr..
Defrees over the unexpected action of the Senate,
and assure him that had he known it. he would
have thrown his whole influence against it. Start
ing with words of sympathy on his lips he was met
almost at his own door by messenger from Mr..
Defrees returning presents that Mr.. Colfax had
made and bearing an insulting message.
No man is more firm in his friendship than Mr..
Colax, no man quicker to appreciate good act, or
reciprocate kindly favor. For the action of the
Senatorial caucus he utterly irresponsible and
entirely ignorant, yet Mr. Defree1 chose to make it
matter of estrangement, caused Mr.. Colfax to be
denounced by such unprincipled correspondents as
would take up his cause, and for a fancied wrong
so far as Mr.. Colfax is concerned has been bitter
constant and unrelenting in his attacks upon the
Vice President and has even let his enmity SO far
get the better of him as TO become alienated from
the party of which he has so long been an honored
member. In political circles, while it is known
that he is working to nominate Wilson for Vice
President, at the Philadelphia Convention, he is
openly for Hendricks, against Grant aad Colfax
and is taking an active hand in running the Cincin-
natl Convention.
! We regret exceedingly that Mr. Defrees has adj
opted such course towards the Republican party
and Mr.. Colfax, but regret still more that one who
knows Mr.. Colfax so well as Mr.. Millikan does. of
his unwavering friendship, his duty to constitu-
ency and party, should fit to publish an article
so unjunst in every particular to the Vice Presi-
dent.