Litchfield enquirer., 1841-03-18
SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES.

THURSDAY, March 4, l84l.
The Senate convened in pursuance Of notice from
the President Of the United States.
Mr.. King Of Ala, having been sworn upon his APP
pearing upon reelection 10 2 new lerm' was u'en
elected President pro tenn o. the senate. 49,, c..,.
Several other OF the old members Oh tne senate
were sworn in upon reelection.
The following entirely new members attended,
were qualified, and took their seats, VIZ.
From Maine, the Hon. George Evans
From Illinois, the Hon. Samuel Nc Roberts.
From Rhode Island, the Hon. James +. Summons
From Michigan, the Hon: VIM. Wo s,9
From New Jersey the Hon. Jacob w: Miller.
From Louisiana, The Hon. Alexander Barrow.
From New Hampshire, the Hon. Levi Woodbury..
FROM Georgia the Hon. John Mcpherson BeTrlen.
From Kentucky, tie Hon James I. Moreneaao
Next day, from Virginia, Hon. VIM. S. ArcherJ
The VicePresident having taken the Oath Of Or
fee and assumed his pnce as President OF the Senate
delivered the following Address: ,,c
Senators-Cnled by the People Of the United states es
to preside your delbt rntiOns, cannot withhold
the expression Of the high estimate place on the
honor which they have conferred upon me- 10 &C.
cupy the seat which has been filed and adorned-tO
saw nothing of nv more immediate predecessors--by
an Adams, Jefferson, Gerry, Clinton, and
Tompkins, names that, although be onglng to the
dead still hive in the grateful recolectlons VI cuD'
try, is nm honor of which any man would have JUST
cause to he proud But this honor is greatly augment
ed by the consideration OF the true character OF TINS
body-by the high order Of mora and intellectual
power which has distinguished 1t in past tIme "nd
which still distinguishes t-by the dignity which has,
for the part, marked its proceedings, and above
all, by the important duties which have devolved upon
it under the Constitution. Here 10 be found the I'M
mediate representatives Of the Suites, by whose
reign will the Government has been spoken into eX-
stence. Here exists that perfect equality among the
Members of this Coniederacy 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 and roiecting
the institutions handed down to from our fathers,
as well against the Of popular and rash impul-
SEES on the ore hand, as against attempts at Executive
encrOa chment on the other. 1t may properly be re-
garded as holding the balance in which are weighed
the powers conceded to this Government and rights
reserved to the States and to the People. II is its
province conee6e what has been granted-tO with
hold what has been denied. thus in all its features
hbitng true type Of The glorious Contederacy under
which ii happiness to live. Should the spirt OF
Facton-that destructive spirit which rrcklessly
walks prosrate rights, and tranpes laws aud
constitutions in the dust-ever find abiding place
within this Hail. then indeed will sentence OF
demnation he issued against the peace and happiness
of this People and their political institutions le made
10 toppe their foundations. But while this body
shall continue be wha, by its trainers it was de-
signed be, deiheFatve in its character, unbiased
in its course, and independent in its action, then may
Liberty he regarded as enrcnchtd in safety behind
the secret ramparts OF the ConstituIinn
While occupy this chair, Senators, shall have
frequent occasion TO invoke your indulgence for my
defects. and your charity for my errors. am bat
little skilled in Parliamentary law, and have been I'M
used to preside over delibera,ve assemblies. All
that can urge in excuse OF my defects is, that
bring with me to this chair enrnes wish TO dis
charge properly its duties, and fixed determination
TO preside over your deliberations with entire impair
TALLY.