Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1844-10-12

Speech Of Col. shepherd Lelller,
President 81 tho GOnvemsa0ms
The following beautiful speech delivered
BY Col. Shepherd Letter, befre the Con-
vention, when called upon TO tot as the
presiling officer, will be read with pleas
ure by his numerous acquaintance here
rs well as elsewhere.
Ge,4tlsme,. Of The Convention:
/ should do injustice 10 you, as well as
10 my own feelings, should not embrace
This a. the earliest opportunity to return
you my thanks, for this flattering demon
stration Of your Kindness. am fally sem
sible Of the honor which you have just con-
ferrsd upon me, heightened and INCREASED,
as it is, by the consideration that ii comes
without my solicitation. For this distin-
guishcd manifestation Of your confidence,
| shall feel forever gratcfal-convinccd as
| am that shall ever recur to it with feel
ings Of the warmest and iondest recollec-
tlon.
When | look round, gentlemen, upon
this convention, and contemplate the age,
experience, and eminent public services Of
solle-the intelligence and abilities of 9TH
ers,-l cannot help but regret that your
choice should have fallen upon some other
more competent than myself, to
5 full and satisfactory discharge Of the du-
ties incumbent on the chair. Impressed,
however, with the belief, that a mere hon
orary distinction of this should neither be
sought nor rejected, feel myself.at liber-
ty to accept this appointment, although a
just estimate perhaps Of my own want of
experience would have dictated refusal.
In view Of the high responsibilities devolv-
ing OH the chair, cannot promise that
shall on all occasions be able to discharge
my duties in such manner as to meet with
your entire appreciation. make 40 pre-
tentions to infalibi!ity. claim no exenp-
tion from the ordinary frailties Of our ma
ton; we are all liable to err, but while it is
human to err, it is divine TO forgive. Err
rxs then, umntentional errors, may be
committed. They are perhaps unavoida-
BILE, but if.any such should be committed
shall throw myself unrascYvedly upon your
Indulgence, under the confident expectation,
that the same kindness which induced YOU
TO place me in the chair, viii induce YOU
to come promptly and readily to my assist
ence.
1t is not expected, l presume, gentle
men, that l should say much in reference
10 the duties of the chair. 1t is for you 10
adopt the rules for the government Of your
own proceedings. 1t will be the duty Of
the chair to see that those rules when
a lopted, ase faithfully, strictly and impar-
tilly enforced. Coming as you do from
almost every section Of the Union-feeling
no doubt commendable attachment TO the
particular institutions Of your native States
it is not to be expected that your DELHI
era6ons should progress without. an occa-
sional conflict Of opinions. 1t is not to
be expected that principles and opinions
long cherished and honestly entertained
cm or will be ta.nely surrendered or vol
UNFAIRLY abandoned, especially on such an
occasion rs the present, when the decis-
ion is likely to be final. In the progress
your deliberations, then, you cannot ex-
pect entire unanimity. A manly oppasi-
ton may give rise to struggles and con-
flicts; storms and tempests may arise, as
you are borne along in the heat and ardor
Of debate; the influence Of unfcstrained
passion may interrupt the harmony and
!, tranquility Of your proceedings and rem
der the exercise of some authority on The
part Of the chair indispcnsibly necessary
to the preservation Of order. In all such
cases, if any such should occur, beg you,
gentlemen, to recollect, that any such in
terposi,ion on the part Of the chair, will be
duty most exceedingly unwclcome; that
no authority shall be exercised in any case
or under any circumstances, except such
as shall be indispensably necessary to en-
forces lch regulations as you may adopt
pfor your own government, and that no de-
cision shall be male in any case, except
such as shall seuanate from an unfei sncd
disposition 10 do equal and exact justice to
all men and all parties.
You meet, gentlemen, under .circum-
stances Of the deepest interest. We axe
now in the progress Of an important charge
in the midst Of a revolution. "Old
things are to be done away and all things
are 10 become new" Our present politi-
Cal organization is soon to be abolished.
Territorial relations with the parent gov
eminent are soon to cease, ard iowa must
soon take upon herself the powers and
responsibilities Of a sovereign State! But
before this change can be fully consum-
ma. ed, it is necessary for us to adopt re-
publican constitution for our domestic gov
eminent. Upon you, gentlemen, a con-
fding people have conferred this high
responsibility; to your wisdom, 10 your
prudence, to your patriotism, they look
for the formation Of that important instru-
ment, upon which they are to erect the
infn t republic. Under your auspices, the
youngest and fairest daughter Of the whole
American family, is TO commence her sep
1'ara.c political existence-to take her rank
an the Union ofthe American States, and
to add her star and her stripe to the proud
flag Of our common country. Recollect,
gentlemen, that the labor Of your hands,
whatever may be ats fashion, will not be
the fashion Of day. 1t is not yours to
lgild or to finish the superstructure, but to
l n