Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1845-03-13
VICE PRESIDENTS ADDRESS 10 The SENATE

On taking The Oath Of Office, March 4, 1915.
Senator'S la directing the Vice Presi.
dent to preside a! the deliberations oflhls
body, the Constitution Of our country as
signs to him sphere and duty alike
eminent and grateful. Without any OF
the cares Of real power, with none OF the
responsibilities of legislation, except in
rare conjuctures, he is associated with the
dgnfied Delegates of Republican Sovsr.
eighties; he is posted by the entire Amer.
lean People in your conlederaled council,
partly, il would seem, as an organ of free
dom's fundamental principle of order, and
partly, perhaps, as mere symbol THAT
more popular and "more perfect Union,"
on which depend the blessings of our
peace, independence, aud liberty. His
mission, tranquil and unlmposng, is yet
noble in its origin and objects, and happy
as well as proud in its relations to you.
No one, gentlemen, can appreciate
more highly or recognise more deferenti.
ally than does the incumbent Of this chair
the powers, privileges, and rules or forms
of the Senate of the United States. To
maintain these unmpared and unrelax-
ed he feels to be an official duty, second
10 Impressive obligation only to his con-
stitutiona allegiance. To their exercise
the Republic owes incalcuable good, and
through them has been gradually achiev-
ed wide. spread fame for wisdom justice,
moderation, and efficiency, unsurpassed
by any assemblage of statesman in form.
er or present times. A calm and well ad-
iusted system Of action in this Chamber,
carefully devised and steadily pursued by
those who have preceded us in it, has in
deed largely contributed TO the undoubed
success of our great political experiment.
Instability, haste, representation, dlscour-
tesy, aud ndecision. habitually dscounte-
nanced and banished, leave in undisturbed
supremacy here the powers ofenlighiened
reason and the vigor OF practical patriot
ism. Our country reaps thence solid and
substantial advantages in her policy, in.
slitutoBs, prospects, and renown.
The citizen whom it has pleased peo-
pie to elevate by their suffrageS from the
pursuits OF private and domestic life, may
best evlnce his grateful sense Of the hon.
or thus conferred by devotng his lacu-
lies, moral and intellectual, resoluiely TO
their service. This shall do; yet with
a dilidence unavoidable to one conscious
that almost every step in his appointed
path is to him new and untrled, and sensl'
bic how dangerous contrast must occur
n the transfer Of powers from practlsed
10 unpractsed hands. In observing,
however, upon this floor number Of those
experienced and skil(ul statesmen on
whom the nation justly looks with pride
and reliance, am assured that there can
be but little danger OF public dlsadvan-
tage from inadyeriencies or mistakes,
which their counsel may readily avert
or rectiGy. And thus, gentlemen, while
aiming, frankly and impartIally, TO exer-
else the functions Of an unaccustomed sta
lion in the spirit of the Constitution, Tor
the enlarged and lasting PURPOSES OF re-
yered country, and with sincere good will
towards all, may cherish the encourag.
ing hope of being able, with the assent of
an lndulgent Providence, at once to per-
form my duty and to attract your conf
dence.