The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1847-12-11
G o N G r L 6 SIC n AL.


At Il O'Clock on Monday, the House was cal
led to order by B. B. French, Clerk, and 2la
members answered to their names.
They then proceeded TO elect IL Speaker. BY
the 2rl ballot Mr.. WntIrop,of Massachusetts,,
("hig,) was elected. In taking the chair, ls
made the following appropriate and beautiful
address:
Gentlemen cf he House Of Representatives ofthe
limited StHtes: am deeply sensible of the honor
which has been conferred upon me by tho vote
which has just been declared, and | hog leave to
present my most grateful ackno. Judgements to
those who have thought me worthy Of so dstin-
guishcl mark of their confidence. When
remember by whom this chair has been filled in
other years. and still more when reflect upon
the constitutional character of the body before
me, cannot but feel that you have assigned
he station worthy of any mans ambition, and
far above the rghtiul reach Of my own. Gentle
men, approach the discharge of the duties Of
this Office with profound impression OF their
dignity and oftheir difficulty.
Seven years OF service IN this branch of the
national Legislature have been more than suti-
cient to prove to me that it is no place OF mere
oImal routine or ceremonial repost. Severe
ahors, prr?ioNities, cares, trying responsibilities
await any one who enters upon il, even under
the most Nusyicjous aud favorable circumstances.
How, then, cw bat trcmblc at tho task which
you nave imposed upon me, IN tho present con-
dillon Of The House aud oi'thc country: IN time
o! "arin Il time OF intense political cNcltenent
IN time OF momcntou5 nat iona! controversial
see before me the representatives OF the people
almost equally divided, not merely as the votes
which have already been given this morning have
indicated MS to the preference for persons, but III
opinion and principle on many OF the most i'm
purlaul {, rgs.iJus which we have come here to
docIde-!nay / not reasonably claim in advance,
and from you all, something more than the or,il-
nary measure of iorbcarance and indulgence Tor
any inability which | may manifest in meeting
the eXigcncies and Cmbarrassmcnts from which
cannot escape; and may mot reasonably i'm
porc, with something more than common fer
vcncy, upon your l3tbors and my own, the bcs-
sing Of that Almighty Power whose recorded at
tribute IT is 'that he mukcll men to be oil one
mind i'll a housem
Gentlemen, let MS enter upon our duties with
solemn sense Of our responsibility TO God and
to our country. Divided as we may bo on ques-
tons Of political principle, we are yet united ny
The closest ties OF permanent interest and perma-
mont Obligation. We are the representa-
tyes OF twenty millions orpooplo bound together
by COMMON laws aud by Il common liberty. A
common llg floats over us day by day, on which
there is not ole OF lis here who would see stain
rest, and from which there Is not one oil us here
who would see q star struck.
We have, too, Il common constitution, to
which the oathS OF allegiance, viii n it VIII be
my first duty TO administer to YOU all Will be, l
am assured, only formal expression OF those
sentiments of devotion wl III are already cher
ishcd III al our hearts. There may be diiteren-
ces OF opinion as to the powers wtich tnat con-
s,ituion conieis upon us, but the purposes Tor
which i, was created are inscribed on its face, in
lanuuao e which cannot be misconstrdcd. 1t was
ordained and adopted ''to form more perfect
union TO establish justice; TO ensure domestic
Tranquility; to provide for the common defence;
to promote the general welfare, and to secure
the blessings of liberty TO ourselves and TO our
posterity." Union, then, justice, domestic IRAN
guilty; the common defence, the gonerd' welfare
and the security of liberty to ourselves ana 10
those who NAV come after us,-these are the Or
iects for which we are to exercise whatever pow
ers have been ntrustcd to us And, gentlemen
hazard nothing IN saying that there have been
few periods in The history OF the country IN
which the eyes Of the whole people have been
turned towards this Capitol more intcntly, moro
eagerly, and more anXiously to see what is 10 DO
done here and now, for the vndcation or pro-
motion Of there lofty ends, Let us resolve, then
that those eyes shall at lcas, witness on our part
duties formed with Observation-Disclosures con.
Quoted with dignity. and efforts honestly ana
earnestly made for tho peace, prosperity, ana
honor of the republic. 1t will be one OF tne
highest privileges ofmy public !iic, If sho'i ne
permitted TO contribute anything to these results
by faithful and impartial administration OF tho
Office which have now assumed.
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The Legislature of Georgia has passed rnso-