Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1845-03-12
ADDRESS TO TIE SENATE
DELIVERED BY THE
Hon. GEORGE nj. DALLAS,
yIcE.rREsIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES,
On TAKING THE OATH OF OFFICE,
MARCH 4, 1S45.

SENAToks-In directing the Vice Presi.
dent to preside al the deliberations of this
body, The Constitution Of our country as
signs to him sphere aud duly alike emi-
nenl and grateful. Without any of The
cares of real power, with none Of the re,
sponsibiIties of legislation, except in rare
conjeclures, he is associated with the dig
nifcd Delegates Of Republican Sovereign
lies; he is osted by the entire American
People in your confederaIed council, partly,
it would seem, as an organ Of freedoms
fundamental principle Of order. and partly,
perhaps, as mere symbol of that more
popular and "more perfect Uuion." on
which depend The blessings Of our peace,
independence and liberty. His mission,
tranquil and unimposing, 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 delerenlially than
does the incumbent of this chair the pow
ers, privileges, and rules or forms Of the
Senate OF the United States. To main
tain these unimpared and unrelaxed he
feels TO be an official duty, second in i'm
pressive obligation only TO his consiitu-
lional allegiance. TO their exercise The
Republic owes incalculable good. and
through them has been gradually achieved
widespread fame for wisdom, justice,
moderation, and efficiency, unsurpassed
by any assemblage of sa@smen in former
'or present, times. A calm and well ad-
jusled 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>undoubted
success Of our great political experiment.
Instability, hasle, procraslination. discount
esv and indecision, habitually discoInle.
nanced and banished, leave 10 undisurbed
supremacy here the powers Of enlightened
reason and the visor Of practical pario.
tism: Our coantry reaps thence solid aud
substantial advantages in her policy, pros
poets and renUwn.
The citizen whom il has pleased peo-
pile 10 elevate by their suff'rages from the
pursuits of private and domestic life, may
best evnce his grateful sense of the honor
thus conferred BY devolins his faculties,
moral and intellectual, resolutely to their
service, This I shall do; yer with diff.
dence unavoidable TO one conscience Thai
almost every step in his appointed path is
TO him new and unlried. and sensible how
dangerous contrast must occur in the
transfer of power from practised TO un.
practised hands. In observing, however,
upon this floor a number uf those expert
euced and skiIful statesmen ON whom the
nation justly looks with pride and reliance,
am assured that there can be but liule
danger of public disadvantage from iuad-
ver,cncies or mistakes, which their coun.
sci may readily avert or rccIify. Aud thus.
gentlemen, while aiming, frankly and i'm,
partially, 10 exercise the functions of an
unaccuslomed station in lie spirit Of the
Constitution, for the enlarged and lasting
purposes of revered country, and with
sincere good will toward, all, may cher
ish The encouraging hope Of being able,
with the assem- Of an indulgenI Providence,
at once to perform my duty and 10 attract
your confidence.