The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-03-09
IN SENATE,
MARcu 2 EreninR

/
| IN SENATE,
MARCH 2,-Epening.
The VICE PRESIDENT rose and addressed the
Senate follows
some time during the session OF this day feel i my
duty TO retire iom my seat for the purpose oil giving
the Senate an opportunity Of selecting presiding
officer for the convenience OF organization on inc t'n
of March and have selected this moment Tor thai
nurpose and TO separate the official ties which nave ex
,sted between myself and the members OF this body
for the last four years. have much doubted the pro-
nriety Of making any remarks this occasion What
saw therefore, shall be very brief, because the Tune
would not permit nor would Il be proper Tor me 10
rive utterance TO all that my feelings suggest
In taking my leave of the members OF TINS Dolly,
ID inadequate express the feelings which
aptate my bosom have been associated with avery
great majority of the members OF the senate, mol only
here during the last four years but for many years IN
the councils of our common country; and II has been
nv great happiness during that period, whatever d.
versity Of opinion sentiment has existed between
me and my political friends on minor points or between
me and those from whom differ points OF greater
magnitude TO know that my personal relations with
them have ever been kind and tender. was elected
10 the place occupy by equal vote OF the Electoral
College and by majority OF the votes OF the Senate
after having served my country for the term OF thirty
two years-two years in my native State as member
of It's Legislature and thirty years IN the Congress OIL
the United States either member OF the House Of
Representatives or as member OF the Senate and m
the discharge of the abors and tolls which devoved
upon me in this char-humble was the attempt to
discharge them faihiuy-my station has been render
ed pleasant and agreeable and must not omit to say
that whatever momentaiy agitation or excitement IN
debate may have interrupted the harmony and quiet
and order of the body, can declare, with truth and
with candor, that such has been the generous, the
magnanimous of the individual members oil the
body and particularly such has been their indulgence
towards me- who studied the rules OF order tech
-. L.. h.a. tIaa
SAINT and agreeable And ii, in the discharge Of my
official duties have failed to gain your approba-
ton meet your acquiescence In the course have
pursued it has always arisen, not from any want OF
inclination but from want OF ability on my part to
have formed them better. II has been my constant
endcayor TO act with perfect mpaftiaty towards the
members of this body. viewed each Senator as the
representative of sovereign and independent State
and as entitled to equal consideration from me. The
place from which am about to retire will be occupied
by distinguished citizen of Virginia, who has been
called by the voice of the People this station and
should not do justice to mysefif did not say that
retire from il without the eas, dissatisfaction; for
humble have been my services to my country,
have been devoted to the great radical and fundamen
tai principle of submission 10 the voice of the People
when constitutionally expressed.
now return to you, and all, my grateful ac-
acknowledgements for the kindness and friendship
which have always been extended towards me, and
wish you all WE'LL whatever destiny may attend you
And when am far distant from you-as time must sep
arate all even here not to speak OF long
shall have recollection to remember the assoca
tons which have had with this body, shall always
be animated by the sentiment of kindness and friend
ship with which take my final leave of the Senate.
The VICE PRESIDENT having retired, and the
Chair being occupied by Mr.. Hubbard
Mr. MANGUM submitted the following resolution
for the consideration OF the Senate
Resoired, unanimously That the thanks of the
Senate due and are hereby rendered to RICHARD
NJ JOHNSON the President Of the Senate, for the dig
nifty and impartalty with which he has presided over
its deliberations
The resolution having been read by the Secretary
Mr.. MANouM said do not know, sir, that il will
be out of place in to rise in the Senate, this
OCCASION TO notice the conduct of our presiding Off
Ger, for have had the honor of personal acquain-
lance with that gentleman for many years past and
though it has been my misfortune, during great por-
ton Of that time, to take different views great po
litical questions, apprehend that ], in with
the great portion OF the body Of the People OF the
United States, entertain but one sentiment re-
speeding the kindness and excellence OF his personal
character; for his kindness his geneTo sity his mag
nanmiiy, have placed him high in the estimation Of
every goodman without respect to political dstinc-
tons. but give vent to my unaffected feelings OF re-
spect on this OCCASION yet should not have risen and
obruded myself advance OF Others but for the
sderaon that it would proceed with better grace
| from who has taken different views but whose
private opinion of that distinguished has never
been impaired. therefore move the unanimous adop-
| Mr.. CLAY, of Kentucky, said ! rise, sir, with
peculiar satisfaction to second the motion OF my friend
near me. Perhaps that motion should have proceeded
from myself OF the representatives of the State
| from which that gentleman comes. should most I'M
doubleday have made such motion, if it had not been
made by the Senator from North Carolina; but am
happy that my friend has thought proper TO offer this
resolution Sir without meaning to refer at all 10
those great questions of national policy on which
it is my misfortune to differ from the VICE PRESIDENT,
who has just retired from the chair bear willing
testimony to his worth. He possesses that which |
consider of the best qualities of nature an
excellence of heart and kindness of disposition and
of feeling towards all common race. And in re-
lation 10 the station he has filed can bear, do,
with equal pleasure, this further testimony, that
all occasions, he has evinced perfect impartiay
and have been able to judge in the discharge OF his
duties, quality amongst the first, if not the very
first TO be possessed by the presiding officer of any de-
Lucrative body Sir, he has been distinguished, both
in the field and the cabinet of his country and wher-
ever he has been known, he has been esteemed and
beloved for his PATRIOTISM for his worth, and for his
kindness Of heart and hope, in the retirement which
ici'y which should be felt by those who, what
ever may have bean their of judgment-and err
rors Of judgment all must have made, or less
have the consciousness of having discharged accord
ing to their best judgment, their duty to their country
The resolution then unanimously agreed TO.
END or TWENTY. SIXTH CONGRESS.