Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-10-20

bours which undertake, or how high the RESPONSE
bilitles which assume. l am aware, in the first
place. that the chair OF this Senate is resting place
Tor easy ndolence-hatit afnrds no opportunity fol
the indulgence of rowing thoughts or lsiless natten
lion. Its occupant, instead of enjoying the quietudt
oirepose, must be constantly on the alert, -const ant
" exercising the most vioant attention, in order to
guard ognins mistakes and insure accuracy and des
patch in the bu ness Of legislation.
But mere industry and mental activity am also
aware, are not alone sufficient guarantee for the
successful discharge of the duties of this station. Al
though parliamentary rules founded upon fixed
principles, having it for their leading object 10 ensure
The systematic and successful transaction Of business
and although as such, they commend themselves to
every mans sense Of fitness and propriey; vet the
application of these rules like the application of all
other general principles may in q given case be very
difficult and doubtful Lines which are in some in.
stances clear and distinct, in others become shadowy
ana uncertain. Aud hence even he who has attained
the highest standard of quaica lon-who is most
familiar with presidents, whose perceptions are mos,
prompt and clear and whose powers of discrimna-
ton most ACUTE will al times find HIMSELF n posi.
ton of no small difficulty at times find all these
high qualifications put in rcquistion, and perhaps
severely taxed, in the deciss on Of questions which
may present themselves in the progress Of business.
| But Tor myself gentlemen, dare not hope to be
exempt from crrors-erors, too which il may require
much candor and kindness your part to overlook.
Indeed, IN view of the embarassmen,s and RESPONSE.
biIi'les and might add, the painful anxietes. that
necessarily cluster around the station which am
| called upon to occupy-connccted these must be
with the certainty oerrors and DEFICIENCIES on my part
might well shrink from the task before me.
But there Is another and more encouraging aspect,
IN which the subject presents ITSELF recall to mind
the TACT that have never seen or known, in this
Senate Chamber. n deliberate attempt to EN-.
barra>s the presiding officer. l remember that on
the contrary there has uniformly been exhibited from
every quarter, manly and generous purpose to aid
him IN the discharge ofhis, at best delicate and diff
cu duties. Here ever in the free full and earnest
expression ofpersona and political differences of opn-
IOn-ln the conflict of mind tho 1nvo IF ord
like some guardian genius, has ever reened predomi
nant maintaining its nssendancy over those strong
passions an high exci'ements which are SO often
concentrated and exhibited in the halls of legislation
And, gentlemen, the hope which l entertain that
this history of he past will prove but the continual
history OF the future cheers somewhat in my I'M
dertaking. While feel conscious that must depend
very much on your cooperation for any thing of sue
ces IN the discharge of The duties devolving on me- l
feel also an undoubtng assurance that this co.ope-
ration will be generously accorded me.
On my part gentdmen, | shall aim TO treat every
member of this body with courtesy, kindness and res
pect; and shall endeavor at least to guard myself
against the faults OF Impotence or partially. To-
wards these errors could plead for pardon or ndu.
eencc with but little grace; and hope, in these par
tlculrs, to give you no lust occasion for dissasfac
ton.
But earnestly solicit your kind and general for
bearnnce towards those and failures which may
result from nexperlcnce other DEFICIENCIES of quail
fcntion Against errors and failures of this charac.
ter no security can be found in honesty of purpose
And gentlemen, be ii understood that ask from yOu
the kindness have solicited not MS mere matter of
wonted ceremony-enteraning ut the same time n
self-contdent assurance OF my own infallibiv-but
ask II because expect that shall often, perhaps
too often, give you occasion for its exercise.
And now, gentlemen, lei us address ourselves TO the
business of the session. with the manly and patriotic
determination that harmony, courtesy and dignity
shall characterize our proceedings, and that in oil
deliberations the honor and welfare Of our state shall
be The high and guiding object of our ambition.