Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-03-23
vALEDICTORY OF MR.. SPEAKER D0NELsON.

NALEDlCIORI OF MR.. SPEAKER DONELSON.
Gentlemen Of the House Of Representatives.:
Ny last official duty is now at hand; before per-
form it, permit me TO express nay heartfelt thanks
for the fateTing terms Of the Resolution, in which
you express your appreciation Of my course, as the
presiding officer of this House. Next to conscious
ness Of having performed the duties devOlving me,
faithfully and imPartiauy, that Of receiving the ap-
prOval Of those with whom / have been associated
is all that 1 could desire, or expect to receive.
When l entered on the duties Of this Office, knew
the delicate nature Of its responsibilities. was
aware that no Legislative body could be entirely
cmpt from those feelings Of excitement, which be-
long to conflicting opinions, in relation TO State
policy. But / am pleased TO know that whatever Of
bed feelings have arisen in this House, have disap
peared almost at the moment Of their occurrence,
an now, upon the eve Of our separation all is for
gotten and We part as brothers.
We have accomplished mHCh which majority Of
this General Assembly believe will conduce to the
best interests Of the people Of the State-measures
Of general and local character at the same time,
we have done more in the way Of reform and repeal
In this connection, you will permit me TO recur to
the actions of previous Legislatures, IN regard to
the policy of the State in afOriug aid to works Of
internal Improvement BY the adoption Of this pol
ICY our fertile valleys with their rich productions
our mountains, rich "a all the various ores, will and
have had speedy TO the markets Of the world
Our predecessors, who conceived and put on foot
this policy are entitled 70, and viii receive, the
thanks Of the people Of this State but in the eager
desire Of some Of the preceding Legislatures, to
get all the benefits resulting from the system al
once, the question arose with the people, that from
the actual and prospective liabilities Of the State
10 would be prudent 20 stop, and await future de
velopmeuts; accordingly, in the last canvass Cor
members to the Legislature, so far as State policy
was concerned, this was the great question. large
majority, committed to this line Of policy, were
elected Have these pledges been fulfilled? In
sWer, say the prospective liabilities Of the State
have been reduced between five and six millions of
dollars gratifying result which will meet with a
hearty response from the people Of the State
similar policy the part Of our successors, will,
is believed have the effect Of placing the stocks Of
Tennessee, on footing equal to any Of the States
Of the Union
hope I viii be pardoued for aIluding to The ex-
ira lab0rs dev0lving upon this General Assembly.
By previous Legislation, Messrs Megs and Cooper,
gentlemen, eminent Cor their legal attainments were
chosen TO prepare a digest of all the laws Of the
State at the beginning of this session; they report
ed the result Of their labors thereupOn a joint
committee was appointed, 10 act in conjunction with
the revisOrs as to the best mode OF proceeding
They agreed as 70 the course to be pursued-hat of
giving the whole work a thorough strict eLaminR
0u and as fast as they could prepare portions, re-
port the same to be acted on Bills in both branch
es Of the Legislature, read three times in either
House. This having been done, has taken up much
time, and as a consequence, caused our session to
be a protracted one. But in looking TO the action
Of other States upon this subject find work Of this
character requiring extra session of the Legisla-
ure; and with this in the premises, ours, though
long, is the shortest held in the State for years.
The great benefits arising from this codifcalion Of
the laws, will, it is believed, greatly more than
compensate for the time and expense taken in their
preparation
] ConnOt close my remarks upon this subject with
out expressing my deep obligations TO the Rcvisal
Committee, in which am doubtless joined by every
member Of this body for the ability and untiriDg
industry, in their labors upon this work,
We have at length, after unusually long and
laborious session, reached a point when must
separate; the bosom of every member present. is
buoyant with JOY, at the bare mention Of the fact,
that the time is close at hand when he will join fam
lily and friends but, this joyous feeling cannot be
altogether unmiXed, when the mind reCur5 to the
fact, that we shall never all meet again; though
in fine health, the grave will shortly close over the
forms Of some of us. In a short time this Hall,
where all has been excitement In the conflict for IA
v0Tite measures will be hushed. these seats will be
vacated; some will doubtless return 10 occupy them
Two years; hence others obtanhigher political posi-
tious; perhaps the greater portion seek re0ose in
private life, where alone is 90 be found that true
happiness, which may be looked for in vain in poit
zeal life. Such is the destiny of man.
now pronounce this House adjourned, sine de.