Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-07-13
The Government Changing Hands.

Mr.. Downs and others, who spoke in Congress,
on Wednesday, with reference to the affecting
dispensation which has struck down the Execu-
tive head of the Republic, made alluson to the re-
markabe spectacle, which was exhibited when
the two Houses assembled in joint session to wit
ness the ceremony by which the Vice President
assumed the high office made vacant by the death
of its late illu-trious incumbent. And, truly, it
was beautiful illustration of the strength of our
free government, to see all the powers, honours
and emouments of the Chief Magistracy thus
quietly devolved upon one who, two days before,
was not thought of by any as likely to be invested
with so important distinction. The editors of
the National Intelgencer, who have been saga
cious observers of the working of our Govern
ment from its infancy, refer to the scene which
was presented in the fall of the House of Re-
representatives. in the following terms
"At - O'clock according to previous arrangement.
the Senate entered the Hall of the House of Repesen
tatives, the Speaker and Members standing. Soon af-
ter, the Hon. MILARD FILLMORE, Vice President of the
United States, attended by member OF each House,
entered the Hall and took seal the table OF the
Clerk of the House After brief pause he rose, and,
in clear and distinct voice, pronounced the oath OF fl
deity to the Constitution, and the act of installation
assembage OF deepy concerned spectators the
ny. bret and so SIMPLE yet important in its
quences, national political, and PERSONAL presented an
incident and altogether American 1t was the
incident OF III day which probably made less impress
sion than others American spectators, but
precisely that which is calculated attract The
ce OF foreigners The death of the President being
announced citizen, plainly alfred enters among the
assembled Representatives OF the Nation, walks up
to.the Clerks DESK takes oath on the Bible sup
port the Constitution OF the United States and by this
bref ceremony, he becomes instant of time, invest
ed with the command OF the whole military force OF
mighty EMPIRE with the execution Of its laws and the
administration OF its power. No objects or dreams
OF objection; the act is acquiesced in as a thing of
course and with the submission that would be rendered
to a law OF Nature. The sceptre OF people passes
into his hands as quietly and quickly power of
attorney could be acknowledged before Justice of the
peace. And yet, though the individual attracted, the
thing itself hardly thought of in connection with
the consequences Ia some countries such transfer of
power would have cost streams of blood, and shaken
the government TO its very foundations And why is it
not so here? Because ours is a government of equal
rights and government of laws; and because our peo
pie law abiding and a aw-keepng people be.
cause they know and feel that their laws the
restraints which they themselves have placed on their
own passions and that it is only by obeying these laws
That their equal rights be maintained May such
ever be Their spirit If So may well say OF the Re-
pubic, not este perpetua," but " est perpetual"