The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1825-03-15
Gfaffi nan ofthe Senate 4:

| oil my ftl0W tifikfHHs
To no other branch OF the Government
has The constitution assigned powers more
sar4ous OF important than To the Seuale.-
Without intending Ia Examine either their
rslent ar character. | may be permitted
To remark, that. while the other bran
/ ehes are confined, with few exceptions,
10 what may be considered their ap
propriale powers, to this body, only, IS
granted participation IN al the different
J powers Of the Legislative,
Executive, and Jndici1gy
In liz legislative ckaracter, IL partakes,
with the House of Representatives, in all
foftho powers vested in Congress, excepting
that OF originating revenue bills +; IN its E1
ecutive, it holds An important control over
the powers disappointing 10 Office and for'o
ing treaties and, in It's Judiciary, il c0usLI
tutes the court before which all officers of
the Government may be held accom-
table for an honest discharge of dsty /;
while, from lis peculiar character, as the
Representatives of the States, it is enpha
tieslly the guardian other rights and soye
reignty.
II must be apparent that, on a wise and
vltluous exercise of these important pow
tenn of government. in no small degree, de
ponds. We, accordingly, find that the fra
mefs OF our constitution have bestowed the
greatest attention on the organization ofthis
body; & with snch happy success, thatitis as
admirably adapted 10 be discharge OF each
Of its various aud dissimlar functions, as If
any particular one only, instead Of all, had
been sole objects of its creation. So furtu
nate, indeed, is its structure, in every re-
spect, that even time, Instead Of impairing,
has had the opposite effect, Of remedying
what might, at first, he considered the only
defect in the body. AT the formation of
the government, the members of the Sc
| nate were, probably, too few to attract the
| full confidence Of the people, and thereby
give To il that weight IN the system which
the constitution intended. This defect has,
however, been happily removed by an OK
traordinarygro"th. In the short space Of
thirty six year,, eleven new States have
been added TO the Union, and twice that
number Of Senators to the body; and be
fore the termination of the next four years, !
the original number of States and Sena |
tors will be more than doubled
feel, gentlemen, that owe an apology for
touching on subjects which must be- familiar
10 this enlig tened body, and also for ad |
ling, what must be known 10 all, that
successful discharge of the duties assigned |
Ivy the Constitution to the Senate l,nust
depend, notwithstanding the skill Of it.
organization, almost wholly on the patriot
Ism aud wisdom of the members. These
high attributes, | however feel assured
from past and present experience, will
never be wanting in the meMhtrs Of this
body.
In fulfilling your important functions,
something will depend on the skill and i'm
Partially of the presiding officer. In Ie-
gard To the former, eau promise nothing.
| am without experience, which only can
give the requisite skill in presiding, and
feel that | must often throw myself on
your indulgence. shall, however, endea-
Yor 10 compensate fur the want of skill by
the most rigid impartiaty. In this Office,
shall regard only the Senate s. my duties,
and | shall strive with feeling of pride
lin the station, trust not reprehensble,)
10 preserve tn. high character already at
tanned by the Senate for dignity and wis
dom and 10 elevate it,hposslble, still high |
- Ia ths public esteem.
T.. Address WAS attentively listened 20, |
sta isspectfIIIy received.
The credentials of the new Members uf
the Senate, and Of those whose tern com
inences this day by reelection, were read
The following new Members, To wit:
From Vermont, Dudley Chase,
Pennsylvania, William Marks,
Georgia, John NJ. Berrien.
Ohio, WIN. II. Harrison.
Indiana, VIM. Hendricks,
| Illinois, ELIAS X Kane,
appeared, and, the oath of Office being ad
minister.d to them by the Vice President,
took their seats.
| The following Members, also, reelected
Of office, viz Mr.. Lloyd, of Maryland, Mr..
Macon, of North Carolina, Mr.. Gaillard, of
South Carolina, Mr.. J. 5. johnson. 0t
Louisiana, and Mr.. Barton, of Missouri.
Some conversation took place on the
case of Mr.. LANMAN, re-appointed by the
Governor in the recess Of the Legislature
the question being, whether failure by the
Leg stature TO make "A choice of Senator
constitutes the contingency IN which Go
vernon may appoint Senator-the lan-
gnage of the Constitution being, II va
Cancies happen, by resignation or otherwise.
during the recess of the Legislature Of any
State, the Executive thereof may make
temporary appointments" sc.
The subject was laid over till tomorrow
TO which time the Senate adjourned.
Monday, .Hareh7
The Senate met at ID O'Clock
Mr. Eaton, from the committee appointed
on the subject, made the following report
That Mr.. Lsnman's term OF service in the
Senate expired on the Sd Of March. On the
4th he presented TO the senate certificate
regularly and properly authenticated, from
Oliver Wolco,t, Governor Of the State OF Con.
necticut, setting forth that the President OF the
United States had desired the Senate to CON
Yene on the fourth daY Of March. and had