Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1857-01-14
The Speaker CT the Senate, and the Speaker
of the House


1t is certainly most singular production to
come from Speaker of the Pcnnsy ylvania
Senate AS it is the first, so We hope it may
be The last effort of the kind Ii does no cred
it to Mr. Taggart.
l find it very difficult 10 e eonjure up"
anything new or original upon this interesting
occasion The path is so we'll worn that the
green grass and the flowers are all trampled
into the earth, and nothing left for me to tread
upon but the common dust. Where the white
headed eagle has scared there is a poor show
for birds of lesser note and feebler flight
trust | may be pardoned for aluding to that
magnificent bipcd. 1t is an impulse of my
American heart which | cannot restrain and
would not if could. 1t would be an afFecta-
ton of the rankest sort, TO pretend that | am
not pleased, as we'll as slightly intimidated,
with the post you have assigned me. 1t would
be more apparent from the fact. that for the
last two months. | have been notoriously srri-
wing to attain it This is confession, per
haps, which none of my illustrious predecee-
sors have had the candor to make. | make
it, because while l am Speaker at all,
would be considered Speaker of truth
To those who have aided me, | feel deeply
grateful. and on all fitting occasions, when
gratitude shall not eIcroach upon fairue. :, 1t
shall fin expression, not in words, but III ac-
tiuns
| am painfully aware, that for the first few
days. shall need your utmost indulgence.-
1t afterwards | AN deficient, you must charge
it to my inability, aud not to want of effort
to merit your generosity | will try hard TO
preserve good order among you, and that
stern grority which is so becoming in Sena-
tors of Pennsylvania.
For two sessions some Of Us have sat to-
gcther in this Chamber, aud, without distinc-
ton of party, our intercourse has been Of the
most agreeable character; and from the ap-
pearance of these who have lately come a
mongst Us. (some of them rather unexpected
iy.) this happy state Of things is likely to
tinue.
Founding high hopes of the advantages
which the Commonwealth will derive from
your wisdom upon the taste which you have
displayed in the selection of your Speaker, |
reitcratc my earnest thanks, to some of you
for your votes, and 10 ali Of you for your kind
wishes.
we also append the address of Mr. Getz
Democrat of Berks the Speaker ofthe House
1t viii contrast tavorabiy with that Of MIR
Taggart. being we'll timed, modest aud pccu-
liarly appropriate We leave orr readers to
judge Of the merits of both productions
Mr. Getz. upon being conducted to the
Chair addressed the House as follows:
GenticH,en Of tic House # Representatives.;
Called by your favor to tho Chair which is
venerable with historic intcrest-and chosen,
| | am very willing to believe, more out of com
pliment to the ancient and influential county
which has sent me here, than for any superior
merit you have discovered in me--I assure
you ] speak I 0 vain words wheu | say that a
sense of the grave responsibilities Of the place
far outweigh the qualification feel in the
honor you have conferred unon me- and al
most makes me shrink from assuming them
| But, | find encouragement in the reflection
which my short experience in this body ac-
f0rds me, that its members are always ready
to support their presiding officer in the per
formance of his duty; and. identifying their
| own dignity with his position, to sustain the
Chair in all embarrassmcnts and difficulties
| which may arise. Here, at the outset, then
painfully conscious of my need of them-I
throw myself upon your indulgence, and be-
speak your kindest assistance.
We have met together as the Representa-
| tives of a Commonwealth acknowledging no
super Tor in any of the essential elements which
constitute the true greatness Of State. to
take the part assigned to US Gy the Constitu-
| ton. in the enactment of such laws as the
| progress of time, and the changing circum-
=, stances Of the people have rendered necessary
for their material social and moral welfare
| We are to obligate ourselves in the most sol
emn form that can bind the conscience of man,
TO perform our duty with fidelity" To
keep this obligation. we must have constantly
before rs the fact, that We come here, not 10
enforce opinions, or to advance our
own interests, but to do the will of our consti-
tuents in all things just we know they
would do for themselves, were they to dis
perse with their representatives,, and assem-
BILE in their aggregate capacity TO make the
| laws.
1t has been said by one skilled in politi-
| cal science. that power is continually steal
ing from the many to the few" The history
of The nations of the old world affords us an
almost unfailiDg example of this truth I'm
der our happier form of government, which
wisely provides for the return to the people,
at stated periods and brief intervals. of the
power they cntrust to their representatives,
such transition meets with so. many inter
Inptions that it attracts little notice, and ex-
cites no general apprehension But it is
nevertheless. in ole form or another, always
silently and secretly going on. challenging
the vigilance of the wariest statesmen to dis
cover and arrest it. In no way is this theft
more commonly or extensively practised. than
by means of the various schemes of private
emolument for which corporate privileges are
constantly asked and too readily granted
1t is fact which no observaut mind can de-
nv, that individual rights are abridged in ex-
act proportion TO the extent ofthe special priv