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

4
ar he coincidence with which you had honored me.
In the excited and fesesh state OF mind which then
existed not only here but IN the country al srge,
believed that Speaker, who would manifest aeslfs
to deal justly upon all occasions eou'u oe nolo
than one Of far greater abilities, who would bold this
chair with no CHER aim than that OF leading ms party
10 victory and ofdeang by the vanqushcd with only
such generosity the conqueror may pesto" upon 'he
conquered This view OF the services when Speaker
in the opinion ofoo many may legitmaey render 10 ms
friends would soon persert party organizations from
the noble pursuits ofrulh and justice into mere con-
test for power and Office, and, under mllder forms IN
fuse the spirit Of civil into the divisions OF this
House and the nation. He who administers this Of
fee for himself or his party may do much for both
but he who seeks the common good must administer
il for the country, and deal justly by ALL In pursuing
this latter course in times Of high party exciiements
he will doubtless expose his motives
and hmselft TO censure; but there is at last sastac
ton in the consciousnt Of reciitude higher than pub
lie praise ard beyond the reach Of public CEN
sure. knew when took the office, that should
not be able execute its duties entirely according TO
my conception Of their nature but believed that The
mere effort to do SO might serve useful example
hereafter.
To administer the rules fairly Is, comparatively, an
easy task but there is great difficulty IN organizing
the committees Of the House as TO do justice to all
parties As much in delibeIation depends upon the
statement of the proposition be discussed the ef
fciency Of this body depends greatly upon the coDs
tuition OF the committees which present most OF the
subjects upon which il acts. II Is, therefore, import
ant TO the parties and to the country that the power OF
proposing through these committees should be fairly
and rightly bestowed To ascertain what is fair in the
dspensaiion Of this power is the most difficult duty,
It should be the most anxious care OF Speaker.
To say that had developed the general principles OF
lust organization, would be TO claim far than
deserve. But, that such principles may be established
by reference to the position of parties and the nature
Of the question TO be considered, do not doubt The
party upon which il naturally devolves to prop sc
question, ought TO have the power il would seem, to
present It's proposition in the shape for which il IL will
ling to be responsible. And, the different parties
hold the affirmative, according to the nature of the
question: ought the constitution Of the committees
to be varied In the committees connected with the
executive departments, it would seem just that the
friends Of the existing Administration should have the
majority, TO propose the which enanae orig
inay from their party, and for which they ere mainly
accountable In committees OF investigation Is equal
ly clear that the opposition, who hold the affirmative,
should have the majority and the power. And SO up
other questions reference TO their nature, and to
the views of the various sections of our confederacy
will generally enable Speaker to approximate to just
rules constituting the committees which take charge
Of these measures But in all cases have endeayored
guard the minority upon the committees the point
Of numbers and ability. That have sometimes failed
in my most nest attempts TO do justice freely
fcss but it is something, if can hope that have at
least made easier for those who succeed me- to act
upon some better principle than that Of giving the
whole power of the House TO OF the parties, with
regard the rights and feelings Of others Clohe
this station with the authority of justice and how much
may il not do to elevate the views of paties from them
selves to their country But arm it with the mere
power of numbers and administer il with exclusive
eye to the interests Of part, and 1t may become the
engine of as much fraud and oppression as can be
practised in n country SO free
ought, perhaps, to apologize to you for this brief
alluson have made to the principles which have gov
erned me- but it is the last time shall claim your
indulgence, and owed it to myself and to you to
- e \ -. \
responsible for it and if have earnestly sought
to act justly and mparally, seek no higher reward
than the kind express ion of your satisfaction, which
you have just been pleased TO offer me-
am soon to pass away from the station with which
you have honorcd me, and part from it without re-
gret-is trappngs all may see, but its anxiees and
trials must be endured to be understood
II is not however easy thing to sever, even for
season, the kindly ties of friendship, and is pain
full reflect upon the thousand accidents Of life which
may prevent many very many, Of us from meeting
again.
But, although the traces of individual action are
lost in the rapid current of events, II is still cheer
ing to think that have contributed to those great
but silent results Of well ordered Government which
shed their blessings daily throughout the land Still
prouder is the hope that, with or without us, our
country the march to fulfil its mighty destiny, and
accomplish the high mission of reform, upon which
we fondy believe II is sent. Permit me, ere con-
cudc to my grateful acknowledgements to you
for the honor yon have bestowed upon me- and the
Kind consideration which you have shown me upon SO
many occasions
May each and all Of you return in safety to your
homes, to enjoy, in domestic life, grateful repose
from your abors and 10 receive, in the gratulaons of
csniding constituents the highest reward with which
a Representative can be honor,d
And now, when about to close the busy scene
Of abors, and all Of difference division
is for the moment lost in the emotions Of the parting
hour, may not hope that shall separ ate to remem
Der only wha, pleasant and friendly in our past
intercourse and to forget all that was painful or disa-
grceable.
May every blessing attend you, gentlemen, in your
progress through life and may you continue to ava
ken in the breasts Of others the same kindly emotions
of friendship and respect with which now take leave
of you, perform my last official duty, and pro-
nounce this House to be adjourned without day.
The conclusion of the Speakers yaledictary was
followed by anrestrained testimonials Of applause
from the galleries well from the floor of the
House, such would, at any other than the last
men of the session, have called for severe rebukel