Lincoln

“Let Us Have Faith that Right Makes Might…”

1877 · 23916 — 1877. No binding. Fine. Autograph Quote Signed from Lincoln's Cooper Institute speech given on February 27 1860. Sept 10 1877. Schuyler Colfax U.S. representative from Indiana and vice president under Ulysses S. Grant pens a famous quote from Lincoln's Cooper Institute speech. Transcript""Let us have faith that Right makes Might; and in that faith let us to the end dare to do our Duty."" Lincoln's Cooper Institute speech Feb. '60. Yrs truly Schuyler Colfax / Sept 10 1877Schuyler Colfax 1823-1885 born in New York City moved with his family to Indiana when he was an adolescent. Colfax pursued a career in journalism serving as legislative correspondent for the Indiana State Journal and becoming part-owner of the Whig organ of northern Indiana the South Bend Free Press renamed the St. Joseph Valley Register in 1845. Colfax was a member of the 1850 state constitutional convention and four years later was elected as a Republican to Congress where he served until 1869. An energetic opponent of slavery Colfax's speech attacking the Lecompton Legislature in Kansas became the most widely requested Republican campaign document in the 1858 mid-term election. In 1862 following the electoral defeat of Galusha Grow Colfax was elected Speaker of the House. In that capacity Colfax announced the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment on January 31 1865: ""The constitutional majority of two thirds having voted in the affirmative the Joint Resolution is passed."" Colfax considered February 1 1865 the day he signed the House resolution the happiest day of his life. ""Fourteen years before among a mere handful of kindred spirits in the Constitutional Convention of his State he had said: 'Wherever within my sphere be it narrow or wide oppression treads its iron heel on human rights I will raise my voice in earnest protest.' He had kept his word and well earned his share in the triumph."" Hollister 245. Colfax next served as Vice President under Ulysses S. Grant 1869-1873. He lost a re-nomination bid in 1872 as a result of his involvement in the Crédit Mobilier of America scandal. Hollister Ovando James. Life of Schuyler Colfax 1886. books