The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-04-02

would acqult me, whatever injustice l m ght expe-
fence at The hands of my fellow-mea Bat have
oo bee unsustained during this long course OF pub
lie service. Every where on this widespread con-
iineni nave enjoyed the Leneft Of possessing warm
hearted. aud enthusiastic, and devoted friends
friends who knew me, and appreciated Justly the
motives by which have been actsated. To them,
If | had language 10 make suitable acknowledg
ments, would now take leave TO present them,
as being all the Offering that | can make
for their long continued. perseverng and devoted
friendship. But, sir, if / have difficulty in
giving uterance to an expression OF the feelings
OF gratitude which Till my heart towards my friends,
dispersed throughout tals continent, what sha say
what can l say-at all commensurate with my
feelings OF gratitude towards that State whose hum
BILE servtor amt migrated 10 the State OF Ken
lucky nearly toriy-hve years ago went there as an
orphan, who had not yet attained his majonty-who
had never recog 1sed a fathers smle-poor, PENN
less, without the favor Of the greai-wl,h an upper
feet and inadequate education, limited 10 the means
applicable TO such boy-but scarcely had l set
foot upon that generous soil, before was caressed
with parental iondness- palronised with bountiiul
mnnfcence, and may add TO this, that her cholc'
est honors, often unsolicited had been freely show
cred upon me; and when sood, as II were, in the
darkest moments OF human existence, abandoned
by the world, illuminated by large portion OF my
own counuymen, she threw around me her impen-
etrable shield, and bore alott, and repealed the
| attacks OF malignliy and calamny, by which was
assailed. Sir, 1t is 10 ME an unspeakab!e pleasure
that am shortly to return 10 her friendly limits; and
that shall finally deposlle (and II will not be long
before that day arrlves) my last remains under her
generous soil, with the remains of her gallant
and patriotic sons who have preceded nae
Mr.. President, recent epiihet, q do not know
whether for The purpose oil honor or Of degrada,ion.)
has been applied to me; and have been held up 10
the country as dictator Dictator! The idea OF
dictatorship Is drawn from Roman Institutions; and
there, when II was created the person who was In.
vested with this tremendous authority, concentrated
| In his own person the whole power OF the Stale
| He exercised unlimited control over the property
and lives Ofthe citizens OF the Commonwealth. lie
had the power of raising armies, and OF raising re-
venue by taxing the people. LII have been dlcta
tor, what have been The powers with which have
been clothed! Have possessed an army, navy,
revenuel Have had the distribution OF the patron
age of the government Have in short, possessed
any power whatever! Sir, If have been dictator
think those who apply the epithet to me must at
least admit two things In the first place, that my die
tatorship has been ds!ingushed!by no cruel execu-
tons, stained by no deeds of blood, solled by no
act OF dshonor And they must no less acknowledge
in the second place, (though do not know when
its commencement bears date, but suppose, how
ever that it is intended to be averred, from The com
mencemen OF the extra session) that II have been
invested with, or have usurped the dictatorship,
have at least voluntarily surrendered the power
within shorter period than was assigned me
by the X imam laws tor its continuance. MI
President, if 10 have sought at the extra ses'
sion and at this, by co operation with my trends,
to carry out those great measures which the mao.
riy of 1910 desired to see adopted and execued-if
10 nave desired 10 see the currency anu exchanges
of this country once more regulated-if to have
desired to repenish the empty golfers OF the Urea
sury, by an imposition OF suitable ducs-lf TO have
desired to extend relief to the unfortunate bankrapts
operation of the previous policy Of the G. v.rnment
if to have desire d, by cooperation 18th my trends
to limit and restrsin and regulate the Executive &C
ton, because il became dangerous towards the Ohtr
departments of the Government, in my Opnicn,
and in the opinion of the majority of ls4O-if TO
have desired to preserve the honor and credit CT
the country untarnished by adequate and suitable
provisions for revenue, sufficient for fulfilling all the
public engagements-ifh the faithful purpose OF execu-
ting all these measures ardent desire TO carry out
and redeem every pledge which was fairly made by
my friends when struggling for the acquisition
Of poweI-if | say these etferts and this CO.
operation constitute my dictatorship, then sup
pose Unjust bear the cdlum or the homer OF
the opilhet which ever it may be considered
Mr. President, that my nature Is warm, my rem
temper ardent, my disposition IN the public service
enthusiastic, l am ready to own. But those who
suppose they may have seen any proof OF dictation
in my conduct have only mistaken that ardor Tor
what at least supposed to be patriotic exerilonstor
fulfilling the wishes and expectations by which
hod this seat they have only mistaken the one for
the other. Mr. President. during my long and ardu-
Gus services in the public councils. and especially
during he last eleven years. in the Senate, the came
ardor Of Temperament had characterized my actions,
and has no doubt led me, in the heat of debate, in
endeavoring to maintain my opinions IN reference 20
the best course to be pursued IN the conduct OF
public affairs, have often used language offensive
and ptibe of uugraclous Interpretation towards
my brother Senator'S If there be any who entertain
a feeling of diss atisfactlon resulting from any cir
cumstance of this kind, beg TO assure them that
now make the amplest apology. And, on the
other hand, | assure the Senate, one and all,
without exception and without reserve, that
| leave the Senate Chamber without carry
ing with me to my retirement SINCE feeling
OF dissatisfaction towards the Senate itself or
any one of its members. / 60 from II under the
hope that we shall mutually conslgn to perpetual
oblivion whatever of personal animosities or Jealou-
sizes may have arisen between us during the repeat
ed collisions of mind with mind. And now, allow |
me TO submit the melton which Is the object that In
duced me to arise upon this occasion 1t is TO pre-
sent the credentials Of my friend and successor, who
is present TO take my place If, Mr. President, any
void could be created by my withdrawal from the |
Senate of the u. States, it will be filled TO overflow
ing by my worthy successor, whose rbanlty, gal |
liant bearing, steady adherence TO principle, rare
and uncommon powers OF debate, are well known |
already in advance TO the whole Senate. i move
that the credentials be received and at the proper
moment that the oath required be administered
And now, in retiring | am about to do from |
the Senate, beg leave to deposite with it my |
fervent wishes, that all the great and patriotic OBJ
jects for which it was instituted, may be accom-
pshed-that the destiny Designed for Il by the
trainers of the Constitution may be ulhlled-that
the deliberations now and hereafter, in which it
NAV engage for the good OF our common country,
may eventuate IN the restoration OF its prosperity,
and in the preservation and maintenance OF her no.
nor abroad, and her best interests at home. re-
tire from you, Mr. President, know, at period of
infinite distress and embarrassment wish could
have taken leave OF the public councils under more
favorable auspices but without meaning TO say at
this time, upon whom reproaches should fall on ac
count of that unfortunate condition, think may
appeal to the Senate and to the country fer the truth
OF what say, when deca-e that at least no blame
on account of these EMBELLISHMENTS and distresses
can Justly rest at my door. May the blessings of
Heaven rest upon the heads of the whole Senate and
every member of it, and may every member OF it
advance still more in fame, and when they shall re-
tire to the bosoms Of their respective constituencies,
may they all meet there that most JOYOUS ard CRATE
full Of all human rewards, the exclamation Of thei.
counlrymen, well done, thou good and faithful
servants" Mr.. President, and Messieurs Senators,
1 hid rnu one and all q long. q last a friendly