The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-04-19
THE LATE JOHN C. WALKER.
Recalling an Unpleasant Episode of His
Canvass with BIr Colfax.

Recalling Unpleasant Episode of His
Canvass with Dir. Colfax.
South Bend Tribune.
Mr.. Walker became editor of the first La
porte Chronicle, and in 1858 ran against Mr..
Colfax for Congress and was badly beaten by
the latter.
Many of our readers will remember the
episode in that canvass that came near heing
a tragedy. A platform had been built from
the second north window of the courthouse
Tor the use of these speakers at a joint meet
ing. The yard below was crowded, as were
the sidewalks and street clear across to the
hotel. Mr.. Colfax opened the debate, and
toward the close of his speech charged Mr..
Walker with making certain false state
ments in the columns of the Chronicle.
When Mr.. Walkers time came TO speak
he Indignantly denied Mr.. Colfax's charges,
and called upon any of the subscribers of
the Chronicle who might be present to verify
his denial. Several did so, and had copies of
the Chronicle to show that Mr. Walker told
the truth. The Democrats were jubilant,
and Mr.. ColfaX's friends uneasy, but Mr..
Colfax sat composedly on the stand, a little
to the left and rear of where Mr. Walker
Stood and took the excavations of his OPP
ponent with so smiling face that his friends
were sure everything would come out right
Mr. Walker again referred to the charges at
the close of his speech with such an air of
injured innocence as almost convinced the
audience that Mr.. ColfaX was mistaken
The latter as his opponent took his seat
stepped to the front with smile on his face,
and after the cheers had subsidized reiterated
his charges in more emphatic language than
ever, and as he closed he asked
us there a Republican who doubts the
truth of what have sad?'
mo! No!' they shouted as with one voice.
us there a Democrat who doubts what L
have said?'
81 do" EYES," came from several voices
in the crowd.
Then read Mr.. Walkers paper for your
selves and be convinced" replied Mr.. Colfax,
and taking from his pockets dozen or more
copies of the Chronicle he threw them down
among the people. One copy ne reserved
and opening it read the editorial which Mr.
Walker denied was in the paper, in a strong,
clear voice that reached to the outskirts Of
the vast crowd When he began reading it
Mr.. Walker who was sitting to his right
and little in rear, jumped from his seat
moved forward toward Mr.. Colfax and made
motion as if to draw knife or revolver
but his friends on the stage seized him and
forced him into his seat. Mr. Colfax saw
none of this, but we doubt if he was ever
nearer deaths door than at that moment.
1t seems that Mr.. Walker had printed a
special edition of his paper for circulation in
the south part of the district with the ed
itorial referred to in it, and then for his
regular edition had omitted it. This ac-
counted for his subscribers who were pres
ent declaring that there was no such edito-
rial in the paper. Mr.. Colfax, through a
friend at Lafayette, had secured several cop
les of this special edition, which was printed
to be circulated on the day of the Joint de-
bate in this city, and fully exposed the trick.