The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1845-03-15

VICE PRESIDENTS
ADDRESS TO THE SENATE.

SENAToRs:-In directing the Vice
President 10 preside at the deliberations
of this body, The constitution Of our
country assigns 10 him sphere and a
duty alike eminent and grateful. With
o0l any Of The cares of real power, with
none Of the responsibilities Of legisla-
,ioo, except in raie conjunclures, he is
associated with the dignifed delegates
Of republican sovereigo,ies, he is posted
by the entire American people in your
confederated council, partly, il would
seem, as an organ Of freedoms funda-
mental principle of Order, and partly,
perhaps, as a mere symbol Of that 'more
popular and more perfec, union on
which deplnd the blessings of our
Peace, Independence and Liberty.
His mission tranquil and unimposing
is yet noble in its origin and objects,
and happy, as we'll as proud, in its re-
lalions 10 you.
No one. gentlemen, can appreciate
more highly or recognize more defer
en,ialIy, than does the incumbent Of
this chair, the powers. privileges, and
rules or forms Of the Senate Of the
United States. 10 maintain these un.
impaired and unreaxed, he feels to be
an official duty, second in impressive
obligation only 10 hi, Constitutional al
legiance. TO their exercise the Repub,
lie owes incslculable good; and through
them has been gradually achieved a
widespread fame of wisdom, justice,
moderation and efficiency, unsurpassed
by any assembly of statesmen 10 former
or present times.
A calm and we'll djus'ed system OF
action in this chamber, carefully devised
and steadily pursued by those who have
preceded US in i, has indeed largely con.
,ributed to The undoubled success Of our
great political experiment. Instability,
haste, procras'inaIion, dscourlesy, and
indecision, hablluslly discountenanced
end banished, leave, in undislur bed
supremacy here, the powers Of enighl.
ened reason, and the vigour of praclca
patriotism. Our country reaps thence
aoIid and substantial advantages il
her policy, institutions, prospects anc
'Tenown.
The citizen whom il has pleased {
people to elevate by their sufrages frou
the pursuits Of private and domestic life
may bes, evince his grateful sense o
the honour thus conferred, by devotin,
his faculties, moral and intellectual
Tesolu,eIy to their service. This
shall do, ye, with dil6dence unavoida
BILE to one conscious thar almos, every
step in his appointed path IS TO him new
and unlried, and sensible how danger
Gus contrast must occur in me Trans
fer Of powers from praclised 10 unprac
tised hands.
'In observing, however, upon thi
floor, a number Of those experienced
snd sklCdl statesmen on whom tht
nation Justly looks with pride ant
reliance, am assured that there car
be but lllle danger Of public disadvan
lsge from inadverlencles or mistakes
which their counsel may readily aver
or rectify.
Aud thus gentlemen, while aimin!
fiaokIy and impsr'islly TO exercise tn
functions Of an unaccuslomed station
in The spirit Of the constitution, for th'
enlarged aud lasting purposes of re
vered country, and with sincere good
will towards all, | may cherish the en-
couraging hope Of being able, with Ih'
assent Of an ndulsent Providence, a
once 10 perform my duty, and 10 slIrsc
you confidence.
-.