Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1825-01-11
declared TO have, in every instance, been
faithful TO those American principles of

faithful 10 those American principles of
liberty, equality, and true social order,
the devotion to which, as it has been
from my earliest youth, SO it shall con-
tinue to be to my latest breath.
You have been pleased, Mr. Speaker,
to allude to the peculiar felicity of my
situation, when, after SO long an absence,
| am called 10 witness the immense ,m
provemenls, the admirable communica-
lions, the prodigious creations, OF which
we find an example in this city, whose
name itself is a veDerated palladium
in word, all the grandeur and prospe-
rity of those happy United States, who,
at the same time they nobly secure the
complete assertion of American lnde-
pendence, reflect, on every part OF the
world, the light Of far superior politi-
cal civilization.
What better pledge can be given OF a
persegering national love OF liberty,
when those blessings are evidently the
result OF virtuous resistance 10 op-
; preston, and Of institutions founded on
| the rights of man, and the republican
principle Of self-government.
No, Mr.. Speaker, posterity has no:
begun for me, since, in the sons OF my
companions and friends, l find the same
public feelings, and, permit me 10 add,
The same feelings in my behalf which !
have had the happiness to experience IN
| their fathers.
Sir, have been allowed, forty years
ago, before a committee ola Congress OF
! thirteen states, to express the iond wish
es OF an American heart; on this day, l
have the honor, and enjoy the delight, TO
congratulate the Representatives of the
| Union, so vastly enlarged, on the reall-
! cation of those wishes, even beyond every
human expectation, and upon almost
the infinite prospects we can with GER
tainty anticipate; permit me, Mr.. Speak
| er and gentlemen of the House OF Re-
representatives., 10 JON the expression OF
those sentiments, tribute OF my lively
gratitude, affectionate devotion, and pro-
found respect
Both the address of the Speaker, and
| the reply Of the General, we're listened
to with the profoundest attention.
Throughou, the whole of the members,
and in all the asscmb lage, both on the
| floor and in The gallery, universal silence
prevailed. Every eye was strained, and
| every ear on the alert, that not move
| ment OF the countenance, nor syllable
of the language of the venerable object
OF SO much solicitudc should be lost.
AS soon as the General bad conclud-
ed his reply, and resumed his seat,
| Mr.. Mitchell moved that the House
do now adjourn; which was carried,
mem dis. and the House then adjourned
till Monday
| As soon as the ad ournment had taken
place, the Speaker lef the chair, and adj
vaDcng to the General, offered his per-
sonal congratulations, shaking him cor
daily and repeatedly by the hand. The
Speaker then introduced all the men,
bers OF the House, individually, and
thus closed scene the Most imposing in
| its character, and instructive in its Ell
fects, which has ever been presented 10
the people of any nation whatsoever.
| Monday, Dec. 10.
John Bailey, elected from Massachu-
sets, and Henry DIN, from Vermont,
elected in the place oil Charles Rich,
deceased) appeared in their places to-
day, and were qualified.
Tuesday, Dec. Il.
| Daniel p. Cook, OF Illinois, appeared
III his place to-day.
On motion of Mr.. Jennings, it was
RESOLVED, That the committee on
Pubic Lands be instructed to inquire
into the expediency of reducing the
lprice OF such portons OF the Pablo
Lands as shall have been EXP osed fer
sale tor sixteen years, and remain unsold,
10 1ty cents per acre; and that such
portions of the public lands as have
been exposed to sale for eight years,
and remain unspld, be reduced il price
to seventy five cents per acre.
Mr.. Jennings said that he had present
ed to the House memorial of the Lee
slslature of Indiana, asking Congress 10
reduce the price Of the public lands ge-
nerally. In offering the resolution, his
object was, it reduction should take
lplsoe, % direct the attention Of h. Com
mittee on the Pablo Lands to the idea
OF graduating the price Of those lands
! which bad been long in market, and re-
NAMED unsold, by reference to the
Time OF continuing unsold, as furnish
my, in some measure, an evidence OF
their relative value.
Mr.. Wr;ght, of Ohio, offered the fol-
| loving resolution: