The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-07-11

pearance was at the celebration Of the Birthday
of our National Independence, and, more espe-
cialIy in an act Of homage to the memory of him.
whose example he had ever revered and followed,
and who, as he HIMSELF SO well said, ''was by
so many titles, the Father Of his Country
And now, Mr.. Speaker, let us hope that this
event may teach US all how vain is our reliance
upon any arm orflesh, and may impress us with
solemn sense of our national as well as individ-
ual dependence on Power higher than human.
Let us, remember, sir, that 81 the Lord is king,
be the people never impatient that he sitheth
between the cherubim, be the earth never so UNI
quiet. Let us-in language which has now
beel hallowed to US, as having been the closing
and GROWING sentiment of the brief but adnlra-
BILE Inaugural Address with which our ilustious
friend opened his Presidential term, hardly more
than year ago, and which it is my prililege to
read at this moment from the very copy from
ple-let us in language i'll which g he being dead
yet speaketh -" Let us invoke continuance of
"the same protecting care which has led us from
50 small beginnings to the eminence we this day
OCCUPY, and let ms seek to deserve that contnu-
''ance by prudence and moderation in our coun-
:" ellis, by well directed attempts to assuage the
bitterness which too often marks unavoidable
differences of opinion; by the PRONUNCIATION
Sand practice Of just and liberal principles and
"by an enlarged patriotism, which shall acknow-
"lege no limits but those of our own wide spread
" Republic. - ~ ...... ..
lMr. WINTHROP was followed by Mr.. BAKER,
OF Illinois, but owing to the difficulty of OBJ
tanning Il copy we are unable to insert his re
marks in this uumber.l
Mr.. BAYLY, taking the floor, said: '.
Mr. SPEAKER: Representing in part the ma
tive State of the iustrious dead, it may not be
improper for me, in behalf of her delegation. to
add word to what has already been said.
However much she may have differed from him
while living, there is not one that mourns more
deeply his sudden death. No State felt loft
Ter pride in his military achievements, or admired
more his private virtues None will drop tear
of more heartfelt sorrow upon his bier
l hope it will not be deemed inappropriate for
me to indulge in some reflections suggested by
the occasion. For the second time, Mr. Speak
er, in our political history, our national govern
ment is to be subjected to the trial of being ad-
ministered by PRECEDENT not elected by the
people to that Office The first was severe
enough; but this must be still more so. How
different is our situation now from what it was
then Then, it is true, we were in condition
of high political excitement
But it was the elevation or downfall Of parties
which depended upon the result. Now we are in
the midst Of an angry sectional strife, threaten
ing thessvery existence Of the government itself
If that crisis required prudence, moderation, and
wisdom to insure success to the experiment, how
much more will the one in which we now find
ourselves demand the exercise of those high
qualities. Sir, in the very midst of the tempest
when the storm is bowling about us, and when
all is uncertainty and alarm, the captain has been
unexpectedly swept from the deck, and the second
in command has just taken charge of the helm. If
this loss has added to their anxiety it but ncrea
SEES the obligation of fidelity on the part Of the
crew, upon whose fidelity at last the safety of the
ship depends. Sir, we, that crew, owe it to our
selves, to those who have trusted us where we
are--we owe it to mankind to save her from her
perils.
= Heretofore, when delugcs have swept over
the eastern continent heaving off before them the
vestiges of liberty, our country has been looked
to as the Mount Ararat, upon which the Ark,
laden with all that was dear to liberty, might rest
in safety. Shall we now fan the internal fires
which are kndling in its bosom, and convert i,
into terrible volcano, eructating its dreadful lava
and spreading ruin and devastation around-an
object TO be avoided rather than sought, NV ar
dent prayer is, that there is still enough of the
spirit of our fathers among us to save mankind
from this awful catastrophe.
Sir, as much as have always admired our in
situations. | am free to admit that have never
seen their beauties in holder relief than to day.
The scene which has just been enacted before us
has converted my admiration, as doubt not it
has that Of all us, almost into indolatry itself.
In the midst Of such crisis as the Union of
these States never found itself in before-one
threatening its downfall-in the very focus of
the excitement which has produced it, we have
seen the Executive branch of the Government,
Will ail vi us eHortlouS power, pass, WltnOut
the conflict Of dynasties, without the presence
Of soldier, or even police officer, so quietly
from one set of hands to another, that but for
the sadness which rests upon the brows of those
around ME, no one would conjecture that any,
thing unusual had occurred. Where else could
such scene be witnessed? In the history of
what other Government is it's parallel to be
found? Is there not enough appeal to my
countrymen-in the reflections suggested by
what is passing around us to awaken the nation
to sense of that justice and patriotism by
which alone can the blessings we enjoy be pre-
served to ourselves and mankind?
Mr.. billiard rose and said Mr.. Speak
err, at the suggestion of those in whose Judgment
have confidence, rise to offer an humble tribute
to the memory of the great man who has just
fallen in our midst If he were living, l should
leave others to eulogse him-as he is dead,
choose to speak of him. And yet l am so over
whelmed by the event which has just occurred,
that can scarcely find language to express what