The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-03-13
END OF TWENTYS SIXTH CONGRESS
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE.
WEpNEspAY EvENINa, March 8, I64I.

Mr.. VANDERPOEL, from the joint committee
appointed TO wait the President, and inform MIN
that unless he may have luther communca.l'ns 20
make TO Congress the Houses are about to close
the present session by adjournment, reported thai
the had discharged the duties imposed upon
them that the President answered thai he mad no 'ur-
Their communications to make anu that ne wisheu e
members a safe return TO their homes and families
AtIweSe o'clock at night motion was made thal
| the House do adjourn.
And the question being put it passed in the atiirma-
! i've
And thereupon the Speaker from his chair, and
addressed the House follows:
GENTLEMEN: Il is with the deepest sensbIlIty rs'
you my grateful acknowledgements for al o.
your kindness perform the last ofhcal act winch
is TO separate many of U.s. perhaps forever III II
| no light thing under any circumstances to break vi
long standing associations how much graver must
the emotions with which we part from those who nte'
Us in confidence, and take leave OF us IN Kindness
A consciousness oil my deficiencies forces m'
to attribute much Of the high compliment which you
have offered me that courtesy when relieves anu
soes intercourse in the various relations OF so
cial and official life. But may not, at the sam
time ascribe it, in part to your sense OF the motive
by which | have been governed in the discharge
the duties of my office Ii have not done all tina
an ADLER man would have affected, in my station, si
It is TO be remembered that other has been call
ed to this place so unexpectedly, and under many
circumsta noes of difficulty and embarrassment L.
a nicely balanced of parties, and amid scenes
great political excitement, was selected TO execu
your highest and most delicate trust without previous
preparation or experience, and with no party to sue
tain me- other than those friends whom might maxi
by endeavoring discharge my duties justly and IN
partial " foresaw many of the difficulties to which
should be exposed, and if had consulted my own
ease, perhaps should not have accepted the Office,
with nv view of its duties, and under the crcumsan-
ces to which have alluded. But higher consldera
ions trust determined to undertake the aIduous
task and to make you the best return IN my power
for the confidence with which you had honored me.
- n .tat ~ ind oh hof.
existed not only here but in the country at large,
believe ed that Speaker, who would manifest desire
deal justly upon all occasions, could be more useful
than one of far greater abilities, who would hold this
chair with higher aim than that OF leading his party
to victory and ofdeang by the vanquished with only
such generosity the conqueror may bestow upon the
conquered. This view of the services which Speaker,
in the opinion foo many may egitmatey render TO his
friends, would soon pevert party organizations from
the noble pursuits of truth 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
it for the country, and deal justly by all In pursuing
this latter course in times of high party excitement,
he will doubtless expose his motives TO misconstructon
and himsefto censure but there is, at last sasfac-
ton in the of recttude higher than pub
lie praise a, beyond the reach Of public CEN
sure. 1 knew, when took the Office that l should
be able TO execute its duties entirely according to
my conception of their nature but believed that the
mere effort to do might serve as useful example
| hereafter.
To admnster the rules fairly is, comparatively an
aasy task but there 10 great difficulty IN organizing
the committees of the House to do justice to all
parties As much in deberaton depends upon the
statement of the proposition to be discussed the eff
cency of this body depends greatly upon the const
tuition OF the committees which present most of the
subjects upon which il acts 1t is, therefore, import
the parties and TO the country that the power of
proposing through these committees should be fairly
and rightly bestowed To ascertain hat is fair in the
dspensation of this power is the most difficult duty,
as it should be the most anxious of Speaker.
To say that had developed the general principles of
Just organizations would be to claim far than |
deserve. But that such principles may be established
reference to the position of parties and the nature
of the question TO be considered do not doubt The
| party upon which it naturally devolves to prop a
question, ought TO have the power, it would SEEM to
D esent its proposition in the shape for which it is will
ling to be responsible. And, the different parties
| hold the affirmative, according To The nature OF the
qupson SO ought the constitution of the committees
To be varied. liz the committees connected with the
executive departments, it would just that the
friends of the existing Administration should have the
majority, propose the which emanae orig
nally from their party and for which they mainly
accountable In committees Investigation II is equal
y 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,
/
rules in constituting the committees which take charge
of these measures But all have endeayored
to guard the minority upon the committees in the point
| of numbers and ability. That have sometimes failed
in my nest attempts TO do justice, freely
fess but il is something, if | hope that have at
least made it easier FIR hose who succeed ne, 10 act
upon some better principle than that of giving the
whole power of the House TO OF The parties, with
regard to the rights and feel Sc of others Cothe
this station with the authority justice and how much
may il not do elevate the views of parties from them
| selves TO their country But arm it with the mere
power of numbers, and administer it with exclusive
eye the interests of part, and may become the
engine Of much fraud aud oppression as can be
practised in a country So free ours.
ought, perhaps to apologize TO you for this brief
allusion have made to the principles which have gov
erned me- but il is he last time sAa claim your
indulgence and owed il to myself and to you to
make the explanation. If | have done wrong alone
am responsible for it; and if have earnestly sought
TO act Justly and impartially seek no higher reward
than the kind expires 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 honored me, part from it without re-
pretts trappings all may see, but its anxieties and
trials must be endured to be understood
II is not however, easy thing to sever even Tor
season the kindly ties of friendship and IL Is pain-
fu to reflect upon the thousand accidents of life which
may prevent many very many, of as from ever meeting
again.
rapd current OF eVentb,
inc to think that have contributed to those great
bat silent results of wel-ordercd Government which
shed their blessings daily throughout the land Still
prouder is the hope, that with or without u.s. our
connty is on the march to fulfil its mighty destiny and
accomplish the high mission Of reform, upon which
we fondy believe It is sent. Permit me, ere con-
cIude to renew my grateful Acknowledgements to you
for the honor You have bestowed upon me- and the
kind consideration which you have shown me upon so
many occasions
Nav each and all Of you return in safety to your
homes TO enjoy, in domestic life grateful rePose
from your labos, and to receive in the gr@tulsens OF
Representative can be honored.
And now when are about to close the busy scene
of our abors and all Of difference or division
4 for the lost in the emotions OF the parting
hour NAV not hope that shall separate to remem-
her only what was pleasant and friendly in our past
intercourse and forget all that was painful or dlsa