Schuyler Colfax

Schuyler Colfax was a prominent American politician who served as the 17th Vice President of the United States under President Ulysses S. Grant. Born in New York City, New York, Colfax was a member of the United States House of Representatives from Indiana and later became a key figure in the Republican Party. He was a strong supporter of Abraham Lincoln and played a crucial role in the passage of the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which abolished slavery in the United States. Colfax was also a close friend and ally of Frederick Douglass, a prominent African American abolitionist.

● Early Life and Education

Colfax was born to George Washington Colfax and Hannah Stryker Colfax in New York City, New York, and later moved to Indiana with his family. He attended Indiana University and developed an interest in politics and journalism, eventually becoming the owner and editor of the South Bend Free Press, a newspaper that supported the Whig Party and later the Republican Party. Colfax was influenced by prominent politicians such as Henry Clay and Daniel Webster, and he became involved in local politics in Indiana, serving in the Indiana House of Representatives and later in the United States House of Representatives. He was a strong supporter of the Wilmot Proviso, which aimed to prohibit slavery in new states and territories.

● Career

Colfax's career in the United States House of Representatives spanned over 14 years, during which he served on several committees, including the Committee on Post Office and Post Roads and the Committee on Public Lands. He was a key figure in the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which allowed new states and territories to decide for themselves whether to allow slavery. Colfax was also a strong supporter of the Homestead Act, which provided land grants to settlers in the American West. He worked closely with other prominent politicians, including Thaddeus Stevens, Charles Sumner, and Benjamin Wade, to pass important legislation such as the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution and the Reconstruction Acts. Colfax was also a member of the Radical Republicans, a faction of the Republican Party that advocated for the immediate emancipation of slaves and equal rights for African Americans.

● Vice Presidency

Colfax was chosen by President Ulysses S. Grant as his running mate in the 1868 United States presidential election, and he served as Vice President of the United States from 1869 to 1873. During his tenure, Colfax played a crucial role in the passage of the 15th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which granted voting rights to African American men. He also supported the Ku Klux Klan Act, which aimed to suppress white supremacist violence in the Southern United States. Colfax worked closely with President Grant to implement the Reconstruction policies, including the establishment of Freedmen's Bureau and the Civil Rights Act of 1875. He was also a strong supporter of the Transcontinental Railroad, which connected the East Coast and West Coast of the United States.

● Personal Life

Colfax married Evelyn Clark Colfax in 1844, and they had one son, Schuyler Colfax III. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church and was known for his strong Christian values. Colfax was also a close friend and ally of Frederick Douglass, who often visited him at his home in Washington, D.C.. He was a strong supporter of women's rights and education, and he advocated for the establishment of public schools and universities in the United States. Colfax was also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, a veterans' organization that supported the Union cause during the American Civil War.

● Legacy

Colfax's legacy is complex and multifaceted, reflecting both his achievements and his limitations. He played a crucial role in the passage of important legislation, including the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution and the 15th Amendment to the United States Constitution. However, he was also criticized for his involvement in the Crédit Mobilier scandal, which led to his downfall and damaged his reputation. Despite this, Colfax remains an important figure in American history, and his contributions to the abolition of slavery and the advancement of civil rights are still recognized and celebrated today. He is remembered as a strong supporter of President Abraham Lincoln and President Ulysses S. Grant, and his friendship with Frederick Douglass is a testament to his commitment to social justice and human rights. Colfax's legacy continues to be studied by historians and scholars, including Eric Foner, Doris Kearns Goodwin, and David Blight, who have written extensively about his life and career. Category:Vice Presidents of the United States