Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-04-26
TcoMMUNIcATED. I


TO the Io'ers Of Prince Georges and .4nns
.Ar,ndte Counties, and offhe city Of annapolis
u, the Stafeof Maryland.
FELLOW CrrIzExs-The political relations
which have subsisted between US tor some time
past being dissolved. probably never to be renew
ed, | should be no less wanting in my duty to
YOU than in respect for my own feelings, did
not avail myself of the occasion, to make this
public expression Of the grateful sense l enter.
tain, and which shall never cease to feel, for
the political distinction with which you have sue
cessiyely aud so signaliy h0nOred me.
Most sensiblv do | feel the obligations which
your kindness and confidence imposed upon me,
and most earnestly have endeavored TO discharge
nv duties. in such manner as TO promote. to the
best of my abilities, your public aud private vel
fare.
That I have succeeded in giving satisfaction to
all, am not 50 vain as to suppose; but there are
none among you, trust. who will not do me the
Justice to believe, that the best energies OF nv
body and mind have been faithfully devoted to
your service, and that my errors, whatever they
may have been, were errors Of the head and not
Of the heart.
But, whilst il is gratifying to know, that no
important interest Of my constituents has ever
suffered from my neglect. my i'll health during
portion of my last term of service WAS a severe
trial to my feelings. as IL prevented me from DIS
charging my duties IN manner more satisfactory
to myself, and, perhaps, more profitable to you.
II this recollection justly inspires the with much
regret, il is also connected with some asSocia
tions too pleasing ever to be forgotten. Those
repeated assurances, then made TO me, Of your
continued appreciation Of my representative char
acter, notwithstanding my bodily infrmiiies, the
nix al n M
and the tender soiicitude you evinced for my
speedy restoration to health, cheered and sustain
ed me in the hour of my affection, and now con.
sti,utes one Of the most agreeable "reminiscences
of my life.
Your general intelligence. fellow citizens.
makes it unnecessary that should accompany
this tribute of my respect and gratitude with
mare than distant allusion to recent political
events. The public press, and the official docu-
ments which have had the honor to distribute
amongst you, have preceded me. aud are the
great agents for the formation OF public Aplnlon
in every community where the lights of edseatlon
are freely enjoyed.
The frequent exercise of the ''veto- pow er, -
to which the present administration has been ad.
dicted, certainly TO an extent never contemplate
ed BY the trainers Of our constitution. must have
awakened your serious apprehensions for the
safety and success of our republican institutions
This delicate prsrogative, which should be no.
velty in the operations of our Government, has,
BY the usage OF the present Chief Magistrate OF
the nation, been reduced into ordinary practice,
and threatens to change the entire character Of
the Government. For, if the Executive Depart
ment is to be paramount to and control every
other department of the Government, u 10 per.
fectly immaterial BY what name our institutions
A. - Ill. L.
potism; and this seems to be the contamination
to which we are now Fastening. Nothing but
the virtue aud intelligence Of the people, can save
Us from so depiorabie catastrophe.
On all the important measures which came up
for the consideration Of Congress at its last SEES
siun, my votes, Of which you are already in pos
session, are sufficient index to my opinions.
Time alone can determine their wisdom or i'm
policy. But Of this | am sure, at least, that
they were not given without the most mature
deliberation upon the wants and necessities oil
the whole country.
1t only remains for me, fellow citizens, to an.
nounce to you my determination, long since
formed, to retire from public lie, and to bid
you an afectiouats farewell This determine.
ton does not proceed from any unwlllingness to
serve you. but from an apprehension that my
health is not vet sufficiently restored, TO give
surancs Of my being able to discharge, in suita-
BILE manoer, the duties Of the arduous and impor-
tant station from which have retired.
remain your sincere and faithful friend.
b. l. SEMMES.
March 10Th, 1883.
p. S-The above address was intended for
publication at the time it was prepared-shortly
after the adjournment OF Congress. and before the
late arrangement of Congressional districts-but
was delayed for reasons unnecessary to men
ton. b. >.
This Ia tn give notice.