Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-03-09

official life. But may not, at the time, ascrbe
il in part your OF the motives BY which have
been governed in the discharge of the duties of my Of
fee Ii have not done all that an able man would
have effected in my station, still, it is 10 he remember
ed that other has been called 10 tins place
so Unexpectedly, and under so many circumstances
of difficulty and embarrassment. In nicely Ia
anced state Of parties, and amid scenes oil great
polItical excitement, selected 10 execute your
highest aud most delicate trust, without previous
preparation or experience, and with party to
sustain me, other than these friends whom night
make, by endeavoring 10 discharge my duties Justly
and mpartialv. ioresaw many Of tia. difficulties to
which should be exposed, aud if had consulted my
own ease, | perhaps should not have accepted the
office, with my view Of its duties and under the cir
cunis,ances To which have alluded But higher con-
sderatons, trust, determined me to undertake the
ardnous task, and to make you the best return in my
power for The confidence with which you had honored
In the excited and feverish state Of mind which
then existed, not only here but in the country al large
believed that Speaker, who would manifest desire
to deal justly upon all occasions, could be useful
than one OF far greater abilities, who would hold this
Chair with higher aim than that ofeadng his pnr,y TO
victory, and of dealing By the vanquised with only such
generosity the ccnGuc!or may bes,ow upon the con-
Quered This view othc services whicha Speaker the
opinion of too many, may leTtniately render 10 his
friends, would soon pervcr party organizations from
tine noble pursuits of truth and justice, into mere con.
fuse TIE spirit of civll into the divisions of tins
House and the nation. lie who administers the Office
for himself or his party, may do much Tor both hut he
who seeks tie common good, must administer it for
tie country, and deal justly by all. In pursuing this
latter course, in times of high party excite mcnt he
will doubtless expose his motives to msconstruction
and himself to censure but there is at least satisac
ton in the consciousness Of rectitude, higher than pub
lie praise, aud beyond the reach Of public
sure. knew, when took the office, that should not
IL l,,t.o.
conception of their nature hat believe that the
etf,rt TO DO might 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 TO do justice to ali
parties. AS mach in deliberation depends upon the
statement the proposition 10 BE- discussed, the eff
cheney of this body depends greatly upon the consu
ton of the committees which present most Of the sub
ecls upon which il acts 1t Isl therefore, important to
the parties aud the country, that the power OF propos
ing, through these committees, should he fairly and
rightly bestowed. To ascertain what is fair in the
dspensaton of this power, is the most difficult duty
as il should be the NEST anxious care OF Speaker.
To say that had developed the general principles
of Just organization, would be TO claim far more
than | deserve. But, that such principles may be
established by reference to the position Of parties
and The nature Of the questions 10 b. considered,
do not doubt. The party upon which Il naturally
deyolvcs TO propose question, ought TO have The
power, il would seem, 10 present It's proposition III
And as the different parties hold the affirmative,
cordng the nature Of The question: ought the con-
stitulion Of the committees To be varied In the com
mittces connected with the Executive Departments II
would seem just that the friends OF the EXISTING Ad-
ninls,ration should have the majority, to propose the
measures which emanate originally from their party,
and for which they mainly accountable. In COM
mit,ees ofnves,igatinn it equally clear that the OPP
position who hold the affirmative, should have the
majority and the power. AND SO, upon other ques-
al and Tho ,ff
the various sections Of our Conederacy, will generally
enable Speaker approximate 10 ust rules, in
sliluting the committees which take charge OF these
measures But, i'll all cases, have enLeavored 10
guard the minority upon the committees, IN the point
Of numbers and ability.
That have sometimes failed in my most earnest At
emps 10 do Justice, freely confess; bu, it something
# can hope that have, at least made il easier for
those who succeed 10 act upon some better principle
than that Of giving the whole power OF the House TO one
of the purties without regard the rights and feelings
of others Clohe tins station with the authority of JUS
tce and how much may it not do 10 elevate the views
of parties from themselves TO their country But arm
it with the power of numbers and administer i
with exclusive eye TO the interests of part, and II
may become the engine OF much fraud and oppression
as can be pracsed in a country so free as ours.
ought perhaps, to apologize TO you for the brief al
uson have made to the princp pies which have govern
ed me- but it is the last time shall ever claim your in
diligence, and owed il TO myself and to you TO make
ponsibc Tor it; and if have earnestly sought to ac
Justly and mpartialy, seek no higher reward than the
kind expression of your satisfaction, which you have
lust been pleased TO offer me.
am soon to pass away from the station with hich
you ha We honored me, and part from it without regret
It's trappngs all may see, but It's anxetes and trials
mnst be endured to be understood.
1t is not however, easy thing to sever, even tor
season. the kindly ties Of friendship and it is painful
10 reflect upon the thousand accidents Of life which may
prevent many, very many, OF US from ever meeting
again.
| But although the traces of individual action are
soon lost in the rapid current of events still cheer
ing TO think that have contributed to those great but
silent results of welcrdercd Government which dali
~ shed their blessings throughout the land Still proud
er is the hope that with without US, country is
on the march TO fulfil lis mighty destiny, and accom-
psh the high mission of reform upon which fuadly
believe ii is sent
| Permit me, ere conclude, to renew my grateful
Acknowledgements TO you for the honor you have be-
slowed upon ME, and the kind consideration which you
have shown me, upon SO many occasions. May each
and NIL Of you return in safety 10 your homes to enjoy
in domestic life grateful reposc from your abors, and
10 receive in the grauations Of conhdng constituents,
the highest reward with which representative can be
honured.
And now when we are about to close the busy scene
Of our lubors and all of difference division is
for the moment lost in the emotions of the parting
hour may not hope that shall separate TO rcmem-
Der only what was pleasant ana irendiy W our past
intercourse and to forget all that painful dsa
greeable!
May every blessing attend you, gentlemen, in your
progress through life and may you continue to awaken
in the breast Of others the kindly emotions OF
friendship and respect with which now take leave OF
you as perform my last official duty and pronounce
this House TO be adjourned without day.
Thursday, March q, 154l.
4 IN SENATE.
At il o'clock the Senate was called to order by MIR.
l Dickens, lis Secretary
j Mr. BAYARD said that it would be recollected that