Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-03-11
THE SENATE
.s"d iAs lat. We. Pr,,ideni q the U. States.
IN SENATE.

IN SENATE.
MARcn 2.-Ereaisg.
The VICE PRESIDENT rose, aid addressed
the Senate follows:
Yesterday | intimated TO the Senate tina,
should, some time during the session Of this
day, feel It may duty TO retire from my seat,
Tor the purpose Of giving the Senate an opportuni.
~ OF selecting a presiding officer, for the conve.
nence Of organization on the 18th Of March: and I
have selected this moment for that purpose, and to
separate the official ties which have existed between
| myself and the members OF this body for the last
four years. have much doubted the proprie,y Of
making any remarks on this occasion. What
say, therefore, shall be very brief because the time
would not permit. nor would il 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 agita,e my bosom. | have been assocat-
ed with very great majority of the members
oil the Senate, not only here during the last
iour years, but for many years in tho councils of
our common country; and 1t has been my great
happiness during that period, whatever diversi-
W oil opinion or sentiment has existed between
me and my political friends on minor points, or be-
tween me and those from whom differ on points Of
greater magnitude, to know that my personal re-
iatons with them have ever been kind and tender
was elected TO the place | occupy by an equal
vote oil the Electoral College, and by ma or,y of
the votes OF the Senate, after having served my
IN my native State as a member of its Legislature,
and thirty years in the Congress Of the United
states either as a member OF the House Of Repre-
sentaiives or as member of the Senate; and in the
discharge oil the abors and tolls which devoved up
on me IN this chair-humbe as was the attempt 10
discharge them faithiully-my station has been
rendered pleasant and agreeable, and must not
omit 10 say that, whatever momentary agitation or
excitement in debate may have interrupted the
harmony and quiet and order of the body can
re ~ NNstfh "A !.
been the generous, the magnanmous course of the
individual members of the body, and particularly
such has been their indulgence towards me who
never STUDIED the rules OF order technical " that nv
station here has been rendered pleasant and agrees-
PIE. And n, IN the discharge of my official duties
have ever failed TO gain your APPRECIATION or ~
meet your aequiescence IN the course have pursu.
co, IL mas always arisen, not from any want Of in
ci'naton, but from want Of ability on my par, TO
nave perlo'medt letter. IL has been my constant
enueavor 10 act with perfect importantly towards
he members OF this body. viewed each Senator
rs the representative OF asovereign and
stale, and as entitled to equal consideration from
me- The place from which | am about to retire
Will be occupied by dsting uished citizen Of Vir-
ginla who has been called by the voice of the Peo-
pie TO this station and should not do Justice TO
myself II | did not say that | retire from II without
the least dissatisfaction; for humble as have been
my services TO my country, have been devoted TO
the great radical and fundamental principle of SUBJ
tonally expressed.
now return TO you, one and all, my grateful &C.
Acknowledgements Tor the kindness end friend, hin
"hlch nave ALWAYS been eNtenced towards me- and
wish you all well, whatever destiny NAV attend
you. And when am far distant from you-as
he must separate us all here, not to speak of
hereaier-as long as shall! have my recollection to
remember the associations which have had with
TINS body, shall always be animated by the sent-
ment oil kindness and friendship with which take
my hnal leave OF the Senate.
The VICE having retired and The
Char being occupied by MIR Hubbard
Mr. MANGUM submitted the following resolu.
ton Tor the consideration of the Senate:
Rs'olrsd, unanimously, That the thanks of the
Senate are due and arc hereby rendered to Richard
NJ Johnson the President ofthe Sena,e for the dig
NIFTY and lmpartiaty with which he has presided
over its deliberations.
The resolution having been read by the Secreta-
ry-
Mr. MANGUM said | do not know, sir. that il
VIII be out OF place in to rise in the Senate on
'hIs occasion, TO notice the conduct OF our presiding
oheer, Tor have had the honor of personal az
quaintance with that gentleman for many wears
past and though 1t has been my misfortune during
great portion Of that time, to take different views
on great poliIical questions apprehend that l. in
common with The great portion OF the body Of the
cope OF the United States, can entertain but one |
sentiment respecting the kindness and excellence Of
ms persona! eharacter for his Kindness his gener-
oSity' hlsmasnanimty, have placed him high in the
esmaton OF every good man, without res pect TO DO
ltleaI distinctions. but give vent TO my unatfect-
ed feeling OF eSpect on this OCCASION vet should
MOI have risen and obIruded myself in advance of
others, but for the consideration that il would pro-
,eed with 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 adoption Of the re-
solution.
Mr.. CLAY, of Kentucky, said: rise, sir, with |
peculiar satisfaction, 10 second the motion Of my !
hehd near me. Perhaps that motion should have |
proceeded from myself, one of the representatives.
oi the State from which that gentleman comes. |
should most undoubtedly have made such motion, |
u u had not been made by the Senator from North |
CaroIinai but am happy that my friend has
'houSht proper 10 otier this resolution. SIR, win
out meaning TO refer at all to those great questions
OF national policy on which IL IS my misfortune to
diher from the Wee President, who has Just retired
from the chair, ] bear willing testimony 10 his !
worth lie possesses that which consider as one !
OF the best qua tues Of our nature-an excellence of
heart, and Kindness of disposition and of feeling
towards all our common race. And in relation TO !
me station ne has hed, lean bear, as do with equal
pressure thls further testimony that, all occa-
SONS he has evnced perfect implrIiay and |
have been able to Judge, in the discharge Of his du
Ties, quality amongst the FIRST If not the very first,
10 be possessed by the presiding officer Of any de.
Lucrative body. Sir, be has been distinguished,
oolh III the heId and the cabinet Of his country
and, wherever he has been known h. has been es
teemed and beloved Tor his patriotism, for his worth
and Tor his kindness Of heart; and hope in the
retirement which he is about to enter, he may con-
tnue TO enjoy that felicity which should ever he felt
by those who, whatever may have been their errors
OF ludgment-and errors Of judgment all must have
made, more or ess--have the consciousness of nav.
ing discharged, according TO their best Judgment.
their duty TO their country.
The resolution was then unanimously agreed TO.