Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1849-03-23
JUN ] LER
Hamilton Smith, Esq, Louisville, Ky.
vaIEp,croRY OF Mr.. DALLAS.

HALEDlC lOR I Or WIN. DiLL2o.
GENTLEMEN " THE SENATE: The close OF nv
official term being near al hand, conform 10 al
established and cunvenicn, practice, by withdraw
ing from The deliberations nt This body, AMI thus
creating The occasion Tor The choice Of Temporal
fy President.
Il is impossible for me, however 10 DO this, with
out begging YOU, each and ALL 10 accept ny
thank. Tor the courtesy ana respect by Whlch yon
have Ilshlened The burden OF my service II your
chamber.
The elevated principle and disnihed tone which
mark the proceedings Of The senate; v" frank
and yet iorbearng temper of us ilscussi"Ls; ne
mutual manifestations oi conciIaiory difference
80 jus, and appropriate among the delegates o.
ipcependent States; and lie consequent calmness
and precision Of lis legislative acton, have al
lracted 10 il very large share o! venefal'on anG
confidence -Four years ct experience convince
me that this confidence Is not misplaced IL y
rue. that such an assembly, Constantly handing
tupics ol The widest bearing, OF the highest ami
deepest concern 10 diversified constituencies, can
moi avoid beng occasionally disturbed by conflic
ling sentiments oil patriotic Guy, o.. by sudcen
impulses Of feeling But these transieh, rs nr
Dances arc 100 Intimately and obviously a>>ot'a
red with representative fiteiy, With unquesiiun-
able freedom II debate, and with quick sense II
public honor, 10 he subject 10 entire repression iy
me stficesi rules OF orler. They are, indeed IRE;
passipe over the scene like flashes which 4" bn'
slarrle and then CEASE ard which serve only IL
exhibit IN stroBge: rellei The crave Gecornm o. H.
general conduct. Long, forever may ms chat
acier b. maintained IN the Senate, strengthening.
as il q .nnol tail 10 strengthen, The attachment q
me American people 10 their admirable consiiiu-
tirn al Government.
Yen Will. | frost, pardon me il proract inr
an insiaD, these parting words, IN oIder 10 uitrI
ono or Two sentiments, derived solely from my
position a an agent Of the La;ion.
A rigit 10 vote upon any question pending be-
tore TINS body when its members are equally d.
yi.cG i. given To The Vice President by The Con-
suution; and the duty TO exercise that hight Is
imposed upon him by an express rule Of Tie Sc
naIe.
Although il SO happened that equal divisions
have occurred during my official term, with IN
usua! irequency-no less than thirty iimes-and
although no one can be insensIble 10 the signal
responsibility OF giving to this or the oher scale,
on such contingencies, the final prepoaderance
am NOT aware ot having falenG in CASING my
sufira se as in my conscience, believe, The peo-
pie OF III. United STATES, and especially lhat vas
majority 81 them whose Judgments and affections
cling with eyer-renewing conviction and devo
lion 10 the harmony and duration OF the Union,
would have prescribed. OF Inc cardinal duties
OF American funclionaries | have deemed that
10 be The foremost which consists in practically
UNFOLDING and exempiiying the benctlcence,
independent social organization, equality, and
fraternity, so distinctly ard directly inoulcated
in the constitution. Nor, Senator'S, is any man
fit 10 participate in The government OF great
societies, with elements combined as ours
are. who hesilates about disobiging the lev
who have access &c or surround him, Tor the sake
Of he MANY whom he can never see. In these
reflections les Inc simple and safe rnle OF
trniy patriotic action. | am tar from the self
f4lery Of supposing that the deciding votes 50
often and sometimes so suddenly required at
my bands, contormed unerrnsy 10 this RUE; oul
cannot Tepress the hope that time and 'r'ai WI,
prove Them TO nave been as positively fish' as
dm absolutely certain they were isn''y iulen-
ded.
My draft gentlemen, on your generous indui-
nrnce is heavy ore, when | ask you TO forget
and overlook the many mperieclions with which
ihe dulles of the chair have been discharged.
lis labors. occasionally more aTGuous and anx-
ions are always more absorbing than is general.
~ snnnosed and undertook them with an op-
nressiye consciousness Of ineIperence Now,
that am fnally relieved from The burden, let
me say that | shall take back 10 the private pur-
suils hence was Unexpectedly called, The most
grateful rrcolleclions OF your kindness, and an
ardent wish that your tolls 10 advance the pros
perly Of country beloved by Us all, may be re-
warded by the purest public favor, and by pro
lonsed lives OF happiness and hoLor.