The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1841-03-18

ferred upon me. To occupy the seat which has
been filled and adorned-to ssy nothing of my
more immediate professionally an Adams,
Jefferson, Gerry, Clinton, and Tompkins,
names that, although belonging TO the dead, still
live IN the recollection of grateful county, is
an honor of which any man would have Just
cause TO be proud, Bot this honor is greatly aug.
mented by the consideration of the true eharac.
ter of this body-by the high order Of moral and
intellectual power which has distinguished il in
all past time, and which still distinguishes t--by
the dignity which has, for the most part, marked
its proceedings, and, above all, by the important
duties which have deyolyed upon i; under the
Constitution Here are TO be found the iIame'li.
ate representatives Of the States, by whose soyc.
reign will the Government has been spoken into
existence. Here exists that perfect equality a.
mong the members OF this Confederacy which
gives to the smallest State in the Union voice
as potential as that Of the largest. To this body
is committed, in an eminent degree, the trust of
guarding aGd protecting the institutions handed
down 10 us from our fathers, as well against the
waves of popular and rash impulses Oh the one
hand as against attempts at Executive encroach-
ments on the other. 1t may properly be regard
cd as holding the balance in which are weighed
the powers conceded TO this Government and the
rights reserved 10 the States and to the People
1t is lis province to cgncede what has been gran
ted-to withhold what has been denied, thus in
all its features exhibiting a true type Of the go
rious Confederacy under which IT is our hspp-
ness to live. Should the spirit Of Faction that
destructive spirit which recklessly walks over
PROSTATE rights, and tramples laws and constitu.
tons in the dust-ever find an abiding place with.
in this Hall, then indeed will sentence Of con.
domination DO issued against the peace and hap.
piness of this people, and their political inst,u.
lions be made 20 topple TO their foundations. But
while this body shall continue to be VIII BY its
trainers it was designed to be, dellheratlyo in its
character, unbiased in its course, and indepen.
dent in is action, then may Liberty be regarded
as entrenched in safety behind the sacred ram.
parts Of the Constitution.
While | occupy this chair, Senstors, | shall
have frequent occasion TO invoke your Indulgence
for my defects and your charity for my errors
am but little skilled in Parliamentary law, aod
have been unused to preside over deliberatiye as.
semblies All that | can urge in excuse OF my
defects is, that | bring with me to this chair an
earnest wish to discharge properly its duties and
fixed determination to preside over your dol5.
eratiohs with entire impaft,alIty
The new Senators we're then successive.
y sworn IN, and took their seats.
At twenty minutes past - O'Clock the
warning note was heard from the table Of
the Vice President, when q en-. Harrison
entered and took The sea, prepared for bin
10 front Of the Secretary 5 table. lie looked
cheerful but composed his bodily health
was maniesly perfect; there was al alert.
ness 10 his movement which 10 quito aston
: lshlog, considering his advanced age, the
multiplied hardships through ah ch bi.
frame has passed, and the fatigues he has
lately undergone.
Alter he had retained his sea. for few
minutes, preparations were made for form
ing the line Of procession 10 the platform
prepared for the ceremony OF the lnaugura.
uou, erected over the front steps OF The Por.
tico OF the east front Of The Capitol. The
Procession vas in the prescribed order, as
yesterday announced by authority Of the
Co!Htaiilee of the Senate.
II was not withou. great difficulty and
very severe pressure tina, the body Of Cit.
: zens who followed and accompanied this
tram passed out OF the east door Of the 70.
lundo; aud the inadequate and dlspropor
tomato size OF that entrance (aIwuys a de
feet at least, If mol deformliyl wus uever
more sensibIy manifested. Some Indies
suffered severely IN the pressure Of the
crowd, but 10 serious acc.dcp, is known 10
have occurred
Ga the platform, seats bad been provided
tor the President and the Chef Justice, who
were placed immed .aiey IN front. Ga their
right, seats we're assigned to the Diploma.
tic Corps. Behind sat Members Of bo,l
Houses OF Congress, officers of the Army
aud Navy, and many distinguished charac
tiers now assembled IN the city, intermiuged
with great company OF ladies', who occu
pied not only the steps in the rear Of the
platform, but both the broad abutments o
stone which support the steps on either ode
Temporary balosirades had been Placed
around these exposed spaces, without which
they would have been very unsafe Stallion
more especially for females.
Bot the sight which attracted and az
; rested and filled the eye Of all those who
were fortunate enough to get a favorable
post OF observation from which to witness
the scene was THE PEOPLE. There they
stood, and had stood for hours, in solid
dense mass, vanously estimated to contain
IN the space before the Capitol and extend
ing back some dlstauce into the open square
from thirty to fifty, aud even sixty thous.
and. Happy vas the man who could climt
upon railing, or post, or pillar, 10 obtain a
r better sight Of the expected object All
such places were di!ed, piled up, with cling
iug occupants; some assembled the trees IN
the square, whose branches, in their pre-.
sent denuded condition, afforded an unob.
structed prospect. On the verge of the
crowd were drawn up carriages, filed with
the gentler sex while here and there poor.
ed up standard bearing pacific banner,
or the stand Of colors Of some volunteer
company.
While patiently waiting for the arrival
Of the President, this mass Of heads resen.
Died some placid lake, not in a perEec, calm,
but gently rlppled by passing breeze, It's