Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-03-10

.;.,;on AZ he reasons of the Speaker
that demand was promptly ana generously ,ss;d.
drawn Seldom has il ial!ento Inc lo' oi ~,
INC officer 10 conduct the deliberations ol iaIse
narliamentary body, through toiisome sess'oI
of ninely-six days, engaged IN tne aisc"s,,d ret
The most exciting and agatins suolec > anu
10 enjoy al its close, the consolation " VIZ
rot..rpnot in the shirt Of pride and arrogance
&c ,voncbine the inIallibiliIy or even me accu.
49, If ~ own decisions but as furnishing lne
mos, satisfactory proof OF the indrlgenI dispos',
- ~ Tho Honsc For such manifestations oi
romr tsyor am unable adequately 10 express
nv sense OF gratitude. II is 1eehnS "hie" =
iona hall cherish. No matter what destiny snall
awoit ,ne-whelher destined TO sink into 'ne shdue
of refinement, or TO minale again IN Po,lieal eon
aicls-whereyer | may be-the rec0iiec.'o" -
your kindness will be fondly cherished as long d
life itself endures e .o,,,-.,;on
ye na,urally devote fleeing moment 10
transient glance al the past. lew weeks
since we assembled here, many oil US strangers
m one ano,her-alike unknowing ana unhho~n'
Among The one hundred and Ihrty.iour melnoels'
e whom This body consists, near ninety were per
sonalv strangers 10 the presiding ohlcer: we
moi ,oseIher with our hopes, orr iears-"ln ~
iecls 10 be accomplished, positive or nesallvc-
with local prejudices. openly arrayea-n,.'9i .
strong sense OF aniagonistic interests ueePy III
MIA nled in our hearts. Such were me uhla!oIao'e
circumstances Of our meeIing.s Inc P,oleo',1 III
an have been developed. They have been SUD
acted 70 ,L,. le,t of nni.ed counsels. They have
| encountered The shock OF intellectual conh!ct.-
'phev have met their legislative doom. some
have succeeded. and secured The pleasures OF
legislative triumph; with others, nope mas ID
dsl wilEercd died. But victory was mol Sig
nalzed BY unseneruus eYulla!ion; defeat was no'
DISTINGUISHED bv unmani. despondency ne VIC
tors have practis,d on he lessons oil moderation
The vanonished have evinced .ortlluds ccll
mandino The respect and sympathy OF rivals ln
The Grand result we all rejoice, in The proud cen
seriousness that no defeat OF local objects. no as
anno,n,,nept OF political ends, can sever inc ties
which biad Us Together as one great community
animated bv the all-sus!ainirg principle oil Pa'l'-
OH, attachment and devoted allegiance 10 ou'
native land.
In The beginning of orr labors, it was apprre-
bsnd.i that the session would be sienalized by
acrimonious discussions be followed, perhaps
he nublic commissions. But several measures
q; Ike pravest import ha re encountered Stern de-
tcat-suslained As lhey were by imposing mino-
rifles, and enforced by distinguished advocates,
vel order and courtesy have been here Observed,
and harmony prevails throughout the lahu. ! nc
palriu, dcspairs not OF lie Republic. We Iemeh-
Der that tic ends 10 which we have attained were
reached under The providence of that great Power,
whose divine favor has been so often and so conspi-
cuously dspla yed along he whole line OF our ma
tiona History. The present condition OF things may
be essential 10 the future accomplishment OF tiis
| divine pucpo srs-and, as il often happens 'hat
Objects which are sought with greatest eagerness,
| in rossession. but turn 10 ashes on the lip so
il NAV be, tina, The success OF the defeated mea-
sures of the session, may have resulted IN the
lasting overthrow OF the prosperity and happiness
OF our COUNTY, And, alter all, gentlemen, hap
pness is the great end of human existence, Inc
great object OF human pursut-and happiness IS
! attained, not by the accomplishment OF some
great measure, not by The success vi some oril-
! liant achievement but BY the virtuous cultiva-
ton and regulation OF the affections and The ~.
dcious exercise and perfect development OF all
the powers of the soul. The soul is the seat oil
happiness.
And in regard 10 our own individual feelings
even If il be true, that there is not, IN our whole
legislative experience one single public incident
I which, al some distant day, may be calculated 10
awaken pleasurable reniin:scence we stu
| have the rich consultations Of friendship. Friend
ships have been iormed-sacred iriendships-
| friendship between those so late nknown-irlend-
ship to be fondly cherished-to be long remem-
bcred-from the most distant points OF time and
space. Though dark forests may frown between
us-though vast mountains may rise IN ranges 10
separate our far distant homes-iriendsnip WIN
| live in soft remembrance friendship which IN
| aicis our pang OF separation, though that sepa-
ration translates us 10 the circle of those most
dear 10 us and 10 the sacredjoys ofhome! Home !
home. May you all there find perfect happi-
mess. May that happiness broaden and brighten
through the who'eierm .! vprr mortal being-to
be succeeded y tina, uniuAEin1be bliss which
belongs 10 that future and higher stage 0! exist
Gentlemen, The time has come-ihe hour has
reached us when We must part. and pat, per-
haps, forever! II is scarcely possible that all Of
US can ever meet again on earth; and send my
| lervenl prayer 10 Heaven, that VIC may assemble
within lis bright portals.
Gentlemen, bid you an allectionaie adeu-
| long a long farewell!