New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-08-08

pnrcbase tantamount to gift. the stock Of q COLI
Germ for whose interests Congress was called upon
10 lerislate Mr. TIOistcr makes grave mistake in
irving to keep this point ont Of sight. The energy
with which he afterward repcs the charge that
Co]fax had any interest in tho Credit Mobilier
shows that he does not believe in his own theory Of
propriety But aside from this initial error. and
somc foolish abuse of those who took an unfayor-
able view of Mr. Colfaxs conduct. his statement of
his clients case is extremely strong. Ii must be
confessed that the case rquircd careful treatment.
When the first disclosures were made Mr. COlfax
was so ill-iudged as to publish statement OF his
connection with the affair which, although not
untrue was not complete and therefore not quite
frank. When the official investigation brought
other facts to light, he was Obliged to explain what
he had tried to keep back. While TINS struggling
with suspicion, an examination of his hank account
revealed an entry which seemed to confirm tho
testimony against him of Cakes Ames and the
lannon's memorandum book; and unfortunately he
was unable to furnish on the spot salts actory
exclamation of the coincidence. His defence
dcycloped by slow degrees and it is not surprising
that it had less effect upon the excited public, ~ it
was drawn ont in bits, than 1t has now i'll the
forciLle ana complete review by II friend After
all thematter is rcduced as Mr. IIoll lister says
issue of vcracIty between Coifax and Ames. The
official investigations 40 far as the Vice President
was concerned were loft at loose ends; as he was
member neither of the Senate nor tho House.
neither body had authority to inquire into his
conduct Mr.. IIolistcr believes that the people
accented Mr. Cofaxs word, and 70 the end of his
life honored and loved him the same THIS
i n de,usion lie never recovered from the cruel
blow: aud although he was comfortcd by the con-
fiIence of those who knew him best. and by many
demonstrations OF affection by the people OF the
xt.,t calf
the changed position in which he now stood before
the world Almost at the beginning of his own
trial he had seen one of his oldest and truest
friends DESTROYED by the caumnics and cruclties OF
party warfare: and during the many years OF
sorrow and suspicion that folio wed he must often
havecomnarcd his own fate With Horace ireeley's
and asked himself which had the bittercr reason to
know how unsubstantial is the reward of political
fidelity hoa light the breath of popular favor.
There is something 80 pathetic in the close of this
brilliant useful, patriotic and amable life that not
even those who were sccrtical OF Schuyler ColiaXs
innocence can resist q tenderness toward his
memorv After his death q letter to his wife and
CHI Id was found in his travelling bag, where he had
carried il for nine years 70 be- delivered in case OF
his sudden taking away. 1t was addressed to Mrs
Co!fax For her and Schuy.' IL rehcar~cd the
story of his connection with tho Credit Mobllicr
enterprise and closed "a follows; When our little
boy is old enough to understand all this, If he
knows anything then of the base and wicked
calumnies to which his father subjected by
enemies and ingratcs, he will realize what faith
full and honest public servant received for twenty
years of the prime of his life given TO the service OF
his country And all that sustained me in that
wi d storm of calumnv that ragged about me was the
knowledge that God ut the last day would make
nv honesty and truthfulncss known of all men.
and that my dear wife knew it. and conided to the
ntternost in her loving and devoted husband,
SCHUYLER COlfaX.'