The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-03-13
Tmemtp= strth Congress.
SECOND SESSION
THE SENATE
And the late Tice President Of the y. States
IN SENATE,
March O. EpeuinP,

MARCH 2--Epening.
The VICE PRESIDENT rose, and addressed the
Senate as follows
Yesterday lntlmated to the Senate that should,
time during the session of this day, feel IT my
duty TO retire ON my seat for the purpose of giving
the Senate an opportunity of selecting presiding
officer, for the convenience of organization on the Ain
of March and have selected this moment for that
purpose and to separate the official ties which have
listed between myself and the members of this body
for the last our years have much doubted the pro-
priety of making any remarks this occasion. What
say therefore, shall be very brief because the time
would not permit, nor would it be proper for me to
give utterance to all that my feelings suggest.
In taking my leave of the members of this body
language is Inadequate to express the feelings which
agitaie my bosom. have been associated with very
great majority of the members of the Senate, not only
here during the last four years. but for many years In
the councils of common country; and it has been
my great happiness during that period, whatever d.
S S sHa Of on minor points or
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
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 its Legislature and thirty years in the Congress of
the United States either member of the House of
Representatives member of the Senate; and in
the discharge of the labors and tolls which devolyed
upon me in this char-humble the attempt to
discharge them aithfuly-m station has been render
ed pleasant and agreeable and must not omit TO say
that whatever momentaly agitation excitement in
debate may have interrupted the harmony and quiet
and order Of the body declare with tru h and
with candor, that such has been the generous, the
magnanimous course of the individual members of the
body aud particularly such has been their indulgence
towards me- who studied the rules of order tech
nicay that my station here has been rendered plea
SAINT and agreeable And if, in the discharge of my
official duties, have failed to gain your approba-
ton TO meet your acquescencei 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
endeavor to with perfect mpartialty towards the
members of this body. viewed each Senator as the
representative of sovereign and independent State,
and as entitled equal consideration from me- The
place from which am about u 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 myself if did not say that
retire from it without the least dissatisfaction; for,
humble as have been my SCI vices 10 my county,
have been devoted the great radical and uDdauen-
tai principle of submission TO voice of the People
when constitulionally expressed.
| now return to you, and all, my grateful ac-
acknowledgements for the kindness and friendship
which have always been extended towards ne, and
wish you all well, whatever destiny u.ay attend you
And when am far distant IRON you-as time must sep
all here not to speak of hereafter long
as shall have my recollection TO remember the assOcIa
be animated by the sentiment of Kindness and friend
ship with which take my final leave of the Senate.
The VICE PRESl DEN L having retired, and the
Chair being occupied by Mr.. Hubbard
Mr. MANGUM submitted the following resolution
for the consideration of the Senate:
Resolved, unanimously, That the thanks Of the
Senate are due and hereby rendered to RICHARD
Nj JOHNSON the President OF Senate for the dig
nifty and mpaTtallty with which he has presided
its deliberations.
The resolution having been read by the Secretary
Mr. MANeUm said: | do not know, sir, that it will
be out of place in to rise in the Senate, on tn
occasion to notice the conduct of presiding Off
GER for have had the honor of personal acquain-
lance with that gentleman for many years past and
though it has my misfortune, during great poT-
ton of that lime, take different views great po-
litical questions apprehend that l. in common with
the great portion OF the lody of the People OF the
Unied States can entertain but sentiment
spectnq the kindness and excel ence of his personal
character for his kindness his generosity, his mag
nanimity have placed him high in the estimation of
every goodman without re-pect to political dlstlnc
tons but give vent to my unaffected feelings OF re-
spect on this OCCASION yet should not have risen and
obtruded myself in advance of Others but for the con-
sideration that II would proceed with a better grace
from one who has taken different views but whose
private opinion of that distinguished man has never
been impaired therefore move the unanimous adop-
ton Of the resolution.
Mr.. CLAY, of Kentucky said rise, sir, with
peculiar satisfaction second the motion OF my friend
near me. Perhaps that motion should have proceeded
from myself as one the representatives of the State
from which that gentleman comes should most UNI
doubtedly 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