Year: 1868




South Bend, Izd Nor. As soon as returns an
nounced Il gain for Grant and Colfax in South
Bend Colfax home, over the October vote, the peo-
pie crowded into the Court House. where the returns
were to be read and Mr.. Colfax and his stepfsther
with a few of his lifelong friends from the days Of
his boyhood, among them j. II. Harper, g. NJ. Hea-
ton VIM. Miller and Geo. Atburn, went to the de-
pot where three operators were soon at work receiv-
ing on six wires of the Western Union Telegraph
Company the news that poured on him from all
points of the Union, which was copied and sent
down TO the thronged Court House By Q o'clock
tho fact that the triumph was even moro over
whelming than had been anticipated was manifest
and by 10 o'clock his toWnsmen insisted on his COM
ing TO the Court House to see how happy they felt.
Arriving there the whole audience rose and gave
vent 70 continued cheers, throwing up their hats,
and repeating loud and long, and it was with diff
Guilty that order restored, so that he could be
heard in return for their enthusiastic congratula-
tion. During his remarks he was frequently inter-
ruptcd by most exuberant and rapturous applause.
As soon as this prolonged repeated and enthusiastic
cheering was quietcd down, Mr.. Colfax addressed
them briefly in substance as follows: He said that
their happy faces showed how Joyous they we're at
the magnificent victory that had been won for the
right to-day, but he could not but remember that
there were Others far happier. The sorely-tried
Union men Of the South subjected to outrage to in
suit and TO murdcrOus assaults, had felt that their
only hope of protection was in this commanding
decision of the people. This victory meant peace
for every man in every section. 1t meant defense
for the dcfenseess and strength for the weak. The
unlocking world, too, would understand by this de-
cision that loyalty was TO be triumphant South as
well as North, and unrepentant traitors would un-
dcrstand that the sacrifices made TO crush the spirit
Of treason and the blood shed by over 100000 mar
tvrcd soldiers were not to be in vain. He said the
party which had been thus overwhelmed by an in
diguant people would need new leaders and new
principles before they could attempt another cam
paign, ,esnI they would not be likely again to en-
pIoy Wade Hampton to write their platform or Val
andigham 10 nominate their Presidential ticket
lie closed with an expression Of the gratitude be
felt for the affection they had SO constantly express
sed for him; for the unshaken confidence they had
for "a lifetime reposed in him. and for the earnest
ness with which they had rejoced at his every sue
cess in life as if il had been their own.


When he ceased speaking there was a general
rush for hand shaking and it was with great diff
Guilty that Mr.. Cofax could free himself from the
crowd so that he might return TO the telegraph Of
fee where returns were being received as fast as


lightning could transmit them. During the even
ing Mr. Washburne telegraphed for news from In
diana and said Gen. Grant was in his parlor enjoy
ing tho dispatches, and Mr.. COlfax sent all the re-
turns he had by towns and counties from this hard
fought State.


At midnight the returns are still pouring IN, and
the iubiIaul crowd at the Court House mixing IN
songs and shouts, and speeches, and stories, and
music in the intervals between the dispatches.