Colfax was known for his opposition to slavery while serving in Congress , and was a founder of the Republican Party . During his first term as speaker he led the effort to pass what would become the Thirteenth Amendment abolishing slavery . When it came before the House for a final vote in January 1865 , he made the unusual choice to cast a vote ( by convention the speaker rarely casts a vote ) , voting in the affirmative . Chosen as Ulysses S. Grant 's running mate in the 1868 election , the pair won easily over Democratic Party nominees Horatio Seymour and Francis Preston Blair Jr. . As was typical during the 19th century , Colfax had little involvement in the Grant administration . In addition to his duties as President of the U.S. Senate , he continued to lecture and write for the press while in office . In January 1871 , Colfax encouraged a unified Italy to adopt a republican government that protected religious freedom and civil rights of its citizens . Believing Grant would only serve one term , in 1870 Colfax attempted unsuccessfully to garner support for the 1872 Republican presidential nomination by telling friends and supporters he would not seek a second vice presidential term . However , when Grant announced that he would run again , Colfax reversed himself and attempted to win the vice presidential nomination , but was defeated by Henry Wilson
1872 Republican presidential nomination
1872 Republican National Convention
Schuyler Colfax