Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-04-04

mains OF her gallant add patriotic sons. ~ho have
| preceded me.
Mr. President, q recent epithet, Il do not know
whether fer the purpose Of honor or Of degradation
has hecn applied to me; and have been held up to
the country RS d,eiatoti Dictator! The idea Of
dictatorship is drawn from Roman institutions; and
there, when Il was created, the person who was in
vested with this ndous authority
| IN his own person the whole power OF the State
tie exercised unlimited control the property
/ and lives OF the citizens OF the Commonw eallh.-
tie had the power Of raising armies and Of raising
revenue by taxing the people. IL have been
dictator, what have been the powers with which
have been elothed' Have l possessed an army,
navy, revenusl Have had the distribution Of the
patronage OF the Government Have l, in short,
possessed any power whatever Sir, il have been
a dictator, think those who apply the e?ithet to
me must ut least admit two things: In the hrst
plase, that my dictatorship has been distinguished
by no cruel executions, stained by no deeds OF
blood, soiled by no act OF dishonor. And they
must no less acknowledge, in the second place,
Though do not know when its commencement
bears date but suppose, how ever, that tits Intend
cd TO be averred, from the commencement Of the
extra SESSION. that IL have been invested WITH or
have usurped the dictatorship, have at least volun
tarily surrendered the power within shorter period
than was assigned me by the Roman laws for its
continuance.
MIR President, il to have sought, at the extra ses.
sion and at this, 10y CO operation with my friends
to carry out those great which the majority
OF lSlO desired 10 see adopted and eSecuted-it to
have desired to see the currency and exchanges of
tins country once more regulated-n to have desir-
ed to replensh the empty Golfers Of the Treasury,
by an imposition of suitable du;es-if TO have de-
sired 10 extend relief TO the unfortunate bankrupts
OF the country, ruined in great measure, by the
operation OF the previous policy OF the Government
III TO have desired, by corporation with my
friends, to limit and restrain and regulate the Ell.
eeutive action. because IL become dangerous TO.
wards the other departments of ths Government in
my opinion, and in the opinion OF the majority of
's4O-ii to have desired TO preserve the honor and
credit oi the country untarnished Nv adequate and
suitable provisions 'or revenue, sufficient for fulfil
ling all the public engagementsif the faithful pur.
pose OF executing all these measures-if an ardent
desire 10 carry out and redeem every pledge which
vas iarly made 10y my friends when struggling for
the ncquis ton OF power-i' say, these efforts ant
this cooperation constitute my Dictatorship then |
suppose must bear the odium or the honor Of the
ePnhet whichever It may b, considered.
| MIR President, hat my nature is warn, my tenn .
per ardent, NV disposition IN the public service en-.
thusisstie, am ready to own. But t.o.s who sup
pnse they may have seen any proof OF dieuuon in
my conduct, have only mistaken that arlor for
what ! at least suppred 20 be patriotic cxertions
tor fulfilling the wishes and expectations by which
! hon TINS seat; they have only mistaken the one
| tor the Other.
| Mr. President. during my long and atduous ser
vices m the public ooureiS. AMI especially during
the last eleven years, IN the Senate the same ardor
Of temperament had eharacterz. d my actions and
| has no doubt led me, ~ the heat Of debate IN en-
deavoIins TO maintain my opinions in reference TO
the best course TO be pursued in the conduct OF pu
lic attrs, have often used language offensive aad
susceptible OF ungtacious Interpretation towards m
brother Senators
II 'hert be any who entertain feeling of dissaiis-
laction resulting from any circumstance o. Tins kind
beg TO assure them that now make the anplest
apology. And. on the other hand, | assure the
Senaie, one and all, without eXcep ION aud without
| reserve, that leave the Senate Chamber without
carrying with me 10 my retirement single f-e,ins
OF dissatisfaction towards the Senite itself or any
one OF its members. | go from !, under the hone
mat we snail mutually consign 10 perpetual oblivion
whatever OF personal anmosities or ieaousiss NAV
have arisen between US during the repeated COLI
sions OF mind with mind.
And now, allow me TO submit the n,oti,n ~ i.b
Is the object that induced me TO arise upon this oc
casion IL IS 10 present the credentials OF my frssd
and successor, who Is presen, to take my place IL
MIR President, any VOL could be created by nv
withdrawal from the Senate Of the United stare.
IL Will be hlled TO overlooking by my worthy sue
eessor, whose urbanity, gallant bearing steady I'D
herence 10 principle, rare and uncommon powers
OF debate, are well known already in advance to
The whole Senate. | move that the Credentials he
received and at the proper moment that the oath
required oe administered. And now in retiring AS
am about to do, from the Senate, | beg leave tn
deposite with my fervent wishes that all the great
and patriotic objects for which il was instituted
De aeeomplshed-that the destiny designed for il by
me trainers OF the Constitution may be fulhlled-tha
the deliberations now and hereafter, in which il
may engage for the good of our common country
may eventuate IN the restoration of its prosperity
and IN the preservation and maintenance OF her honor
abroad, and her best interests at home | retire
from you, Mr. President, know, at period OF in =
| mite distress and embarrassment. | wish [ could
have taken leave of the public councils under more
favorable auspices: but without meaning TO saw Of
this time, upon whom reproaches should fail on ac
count oil that unfortunate condition., think NAV
appear 10 the Senate and 10 the country for the
ruin OF whatl say, when declare that at leas, no
blame on account of these entertainments and dis
tfesses can justly rest at my door. MAY the bless
Ings oil Heaven rest upon the heads OF The whole
senate and every member OF IT; and may every
memoer oil II advance still more in fame, and when
theY snail retire TO the bosoms of their resoeetve
constituencies, may they all meet there that most
Joyous and grateful OF all human rewards, the ex.
elamauon OF their countrymen, swell done thou
good and faithful servants" Mr.. President. and
Mess'eurs senators, bid you, one and all, a long,
a last friendly farewell o.
communication from the Governor Of the State
OF kentucky, with the credentials of MIR Critten.
den' were then read, announcing that the Legisla.
tute oil the State had, on the 26th Of February.
Ie4Z' e;ec;ed the Hon. J. ]. Critienden as ScnS.
Tor IN Congress, to lake effect from and ofter the
; resignation OF the Hon Henry Clay.
Mr. CRIT rENDEN then presented bir,.lf and
, was qualified, and took his seat.
Mr. FIRES ION said he had, however, observed
,.o, 'he ueep sensation which had been sympathet
caliy manifested, that there was no, much ,sste IN,
gong into business this evening; and he could moi
heip participating in the feeling, which he Yves sure
universally prevailed, that something was due 10
me occasion. The resignation which had lust taken
pace was an epoch in the annals Of the country;
u would undoubtedly be so considered in bis,o,y,'
and he did not know that he coulJ better rons1,,
me feelings OF the Senate, than by moving an adj
lournmeni. lie therefore moved shat the Senate
20 20 now adjourn; which motion was agreed TO, and
the Senate adjourned.