The record-union., 1894-06-22

If one were asked to point TO three men
In the history of American politics whose
characters and motives had been most
Indignantly assailed and upon whose
heads the foulest calumnies and most vim
dictive detraction have been exhausted,
the names which would first suggest
themselves to the student Of American
history and politics would be George
Washington, Schuyler Colfax and James
G. Blaine.
Against the fair reputation of each the
shafts of party rancor, of malignant
newspapers, of personal spite and detrac-
ton beat pitilessly, but the test was sue
cessfully withstood, and each, mems
comScta recti, died secure in the respect
and affection of the American people.
Washington outlived the vicious charges
which were hurled against him during
his second term and became the father of
his country. Blaine became the idol of
his party, and before his death had Sc
cured the admiration and respect even OF
his political foes.
There is a mistaken idea prevalent that
Schuyler ColfaX carried TO the end the
stigma of the Credit Mobilier charges
and that he never recovered the entire
confidence OF the people. The glst OF the
charge was that COlfaX had received
81 200 as a dividend upon the discredited
Credit Mobilier stock, in the handling OF
which so many public officials were more
or less Smirched. ColfaX met the charges
manfully, and denied at the time OF the
investigation and ever after that he had
In any way received money from the
Credit Mobilier. The only evidence on
which the charge was based was check
drawn by Oakes Ames to rs, Q. or
bearer" The check, however, was unin-
dorsed, and the Vice President denied
any knowledge of its existence. while his
own private books clearly proved that he
never received the money.
For a time the clamorous Virulence of
his enemies doubtless produced some
effect upon his immediate political for
tunes, and it is certain that the iron of
popular ingratitude entered his soul, but
conscious of his own rectltude, he calmly
awaited the verdict OF time and history
for his vindcation.
Colfax did not, however, become po-
litical back number alter the Credit Mo-
bilier scandal, and had he been willing
he could easily have re-entere6 public
life at any time up the close of his career.
But he persistently declined every office
which was attempted to be thrust upon
him. He was once offered the portfolio
of State. In 1880 his friends promised
him the Indiana Senatorship If he would
put himself in their hands. This he de-
clined, and urged the nomination of Ben
jamln Harrison, who was elected. After
bis election, Harrison wrote 10 COlfax,
saying, "Your course in this whole mat
ter has been most cOnsiderate to me. and
I want you to know that l appreciate it."
The e1-V President was frequently
mentioned as probable Cabinet Minister
of Mr.. Garfield. Garfield once said to
inn. II u ircr rbHnrrbr uf
ton at Chicago was OF YOU" All such
talk he discouraged ana deprecated.
BEsoUGHT TO RE-ENTER PUBLIC LIFE.
Again IN 1888 he was besought to accept
the nomination for Congress from the
South Bend district, and the pressure
brought to bear upon him was almost
overwhelming.
L. w. Halford, afterward the Private
Secretary of President Harrison, wrote
to Colfax:
II spent a week in Washington, and
while there heard a general and warm de-
sire expressed that you should come to
the House from your old district After
| came home / started the idea by tele-
gram to the New York Times. Il has
since been taken up, and you must be
touched by the warm expressions and
the decided hope that you Will agree to
stand. Permit me TO say that my judg-
ment is clear that you should. You owe
il 10 yourself. your future, your friends,
not to say your district and State. [
know the case and comfort OF your pres
ent ll1e but ease and comfort are no mans
prerogatiYe in this world. You cannot
be defeated. You will be the leader of
your party in the State by the force of
circumstances as well as one of the lead
ing figures in Congress. l want you
TO pray over this. | am in dead earnest.
Your friends are. believe it to be your
duty"
Editor D. S. Marsh of the South Bend
Register wrote:
''The handwriting is on the wall. Let
me entreat you, by the regard you have
for your personal and political friends
here and throughout the nation; by your
love for the grand old party of human
rights and good government, sadly in
need to-day of your leadership in the
House, and which IN two years more will
need a ColfaX for its national candidate,
to steer it clear of dissensions and jeal-
OuSies in its own ranks; by the demands
of your manhood, which cannot be salts
fed in the zenith of its power to rest
from work it is so well qualified to per-
form-by all these reasons and more, not
TO dampen the ardor OF those so en-
thuSiastic and disinterested in your be-
half Don't interfere against the rising
tide. The district will be unit for you.
The people, the press, and the politicians
even GApI6SS DuG lnG Ou6 SGuL1ill6ul,
harmonious and jubilant. All that is
asked is that you stand aside and see the
salvation of the Lord. We shall have
such an uprising in the district as you
have never seen before. Stay your voice
and hand from the ungracious task of de-
priving your people OF their long-ex-
pected opportunity"
Senator Van Wyck of Nebraska sent
the following:
II was just reading this Sunday even
ing an item-that you would probably
yield TO the wishes OF your friends in the
old district, and allow them to return you
TO the House of Representatives. l
earnestly hope you may do so. Many,
many times l have felt and remarked
that you should have done this very
thing years ago. If you conclude TO
crafty your friends, there will go up
gra teful acclaims from millions of warm,
generous, and, may say, loving hearts.
II 1t requires some sacrifice on your part,
make it. This much is due to yourself
and the Nation"
A distinguished clergyman who shared
the intimacy and confidence of the lndl-
ana statesman wrote as follows:
think you make a great mistake by
persistlng IN your refusal to again enter
public life. You may not be aware of II,
but II has bad effect not only on the
public, but on yourself. l think | am
correct IN saying that TO an immense ma
jority OF your fellow citizens you are an
innocent man, wronged; and my criticism
on your course is that you have unwisely
permitted this wrong to crush or, at least,
10 keep you down. You should do so no
longer. 1t shows-pardon me for speak
ing plainly-a weakness, that. to say the
least, ii is unwise to exhibit. You should
show that you are made of ssterner stuff
and if God offers you the opportunity you
should once again stand in the sunlight
and not remain in the shadow. Remem-