The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-12-06
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.


HOUSE OF Representatives,.
AT the hour of 10 precisely the House called
order by B. b. FRENCH, clerk.
The roll being called by States for the purpose of
tanning whethera quorum was present, all the mem
King, A. G. Brown, Gaines Cooke, Ficklin, and Pills
bury.
2io Representatives having answered, quorum was
declared to be present.
ELECTION OF SPEAKER
| Mr.. j. @. ADAMS moved that the House proceed to
the election of Speaker and that the vote be taken
uoce; which agreed to-
1T. The g Clerk called upon Messrs KlSS S Massachu
OF Indiana to act as elers; and the roll was then called
The call having been completed, Mr.. KING, of Massa
chuses reported that the whole number Of votes cast
was 220-necessary to a choice Ill. Mr. WINTHROP, of
Massachusetts, receiving 1OS votes and that being the
! highest cast, there no election
having been called Mr. KING, OF Massachusetts, report
ed ll9 votes cast-necessary to choice no.
The highest vote cast being for Mr.. WINTHROP 100,
there again no election.
The Clerk proceeded to call the roll the 81 time Num-
Der of votes cast 10; Mr. WINTHROP having received
ITO votes, being majority of ALL was declared duly
be given Tomorrow
Mr.. KING, of Massachusetts, announced the fact that
Mr.. WINTHROP had been chosen Speaker and
The Clerk hereupon declared him duly elected Speaker
of the House of Representatives Of the 3Oth Congress.
Messrs. MCKAY of N. C., and VNToN. OF Ohio, es-
coTted the Speaker elect to the chair hair :,
House as follows:
Gentlemen of the House of Representatives. ofhe United
States: ! am deeply sensible Of the honor which has
been conferred upon by the vote which has Just been
declared, and beg leave to present my most grateful
acknowledgements to those who have thought worthy
of so distinguished mark Of their confidence. When
remember by whom this chair has been filled in other
years, and still more when reflect upon the cOnstu-
tona character OF the body before me, cannot but feel
that you have assigned me station worthy of any mans
ambition, and far above the rghtful reach OF my
Gentlemen, approach the discharge of the duties of this
office with profound impression of their dignity and of
their difficulty.
Seven years of service in this branch of the national le
gisature have been than sufficient to prove
that 1t is place OF mere formal routine ceremonial
repose Severe abors perpextes cares, trying response
blities await any who enters upon it, even under the
most suspicious and favorable circumstances. How
them can but trembe at the task which you have i'm
posed upon me- in the present condition OF the House and
of the country In time OF WARM time of intense
political excitement-ln time of momentous national
controversy see before me the representatives Of the
people almost equally divided, not merely the votes
which have already been given this morning have ind
Gated the preference for persons, but opinion and
we have here to decide-may not reasonably
claim in advance, and from you all, something
more than the ordinary measure of fobearance and
diligence for any inability which may manifest in meet
ing the exigencies and embarrassments from which
not escape; and may | not reasonably implore, with
something than common ervency, upon your labors
and my own, the blessing of that Almighty Power whose
recorded attribute il is "tha he maketh men to be of
mind In houses"
Gentlemen, let enter upon our duties with solemn
sense of responsibility TO God and to country
Divided may be questions Of political expedien.
cy and questions Of political principle, we yet united
by the closest ties of permanent interest and permanent
obligation. We the representatives OF twenty mil,
hons of people bound together by common laws and
by a common liberty. common flag floats over
us day by day. which there is not one OF us here
who would stain rest, and from which there
is not one of us here who would see star struck
We have, too, constitution to which the oaths
OF allegiance which it will be my first duty to administer
to you all will be, am assured only formal
preston of those sentiments of devotion which al
ready cherished in all hearts There may be differ
of opinion the powers which that constitution
coners upon us but the purposes for which was Gre
ated inscribed its face, in language which
be misconsued 1t ordained and adopted "to form
more perfect unon to establish justice; TO ensure do
nestle tranquhty TO provide for the common defence
promote the general welfare and to the blessings
Of liberty to ourselves and to posterity" Union,
them justice domestic tranquility the common defence,
the general welfare and the security of liberty to our
selves and to those who may after us,-these
the objects for which 10 exercise whatever pow