Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1858-03-12


the Hon.J. II. Gidding5, TO tho editor Of
the Ashtabula Sentinel, wiz DC read with
interest: at,
~ u "Washington, Dec. Is, 1857.
HThis is tho last session to. be held in the
old Hall of Representatives. Tomorrow
we occupy the now building, and this viii
he appropriated to other purposes. | Look
around upon its majestic columns, its light
cd dome, its spacious gallarics- its faded ta-
pestry, its gray walls, with emotions Of sad
ness. They have hong been familiar to my
view. ! have become attached to them.-
They seem TO have been companions of my
better days. lool,.a at the figure Of the re-
cording angel, as he sits upon the clock of
time, with pen recording those passing
events which viii long live IN history
after we shall have passed from our
present state Of existence. They viii tell
for good or for evil on coming genera
tons, There, high elevated above the
/ Speakers chair, stands the Genius Of Ame;-
lea, holding forth that scroll which contains
our past history, Of which members take Sc
little notice. He and the recording angel
look down upon us with countenance cheer
ed with hope for the future rather than
with satisfaction with regard to thhe present
"Thc Speakers scat, the Clerks table,
the mace, the old armed chairs, the writing
desks, are dear TO me. They have for TWEEN.
ty years boon my companions. With thom
have spent the best the most active part o
my life, and am now panied at the separ
ton.
"IIere l have spent sleepless nights anl
anxious days. l well recollect the time
when for thrty-one consecutive hours, 'thc
Old Man Eloquent maintained his seat
now near me, during ono of those conflicts
which often marked that period of our his
tory. lie has long since passed from thos'
scenes, 10 the peaceful climes of the spiri
land. Yet, methnks | see his yenerabl,
form, with his pen in his hand watching
transpiring events, as in days of yorc. III
was the connecting link between the reyo
utionary and the present age.
'With thrilling emotions call to minl
the period when he was arraigned by th,
slave power before the House, for present
ing the respectful petition of his consttu
ents | now see him in memory, as h
stood at tho time of his celebrated reply t
Marshall on that memorable occasion. Hi
aged form seemed TO rise with his subject
his language became impassioned. aud hi
nvcctives more and more terrible, unit
many checks were bathed in tears. Report
ers laid aside their pens; the vast gallerie
seemed filed with inanimate beings, bor
- forward in the attitude of endeavorng {
catch each syllable that fell from his lip
A friend now occupies the scat at which |
:. then stood-thc seat at which he sat who
the angel of death kindly summoned hi
- to happier realms. / helped to bear h
~ lifeless form from the hall. We placed hi
l. in the speakers room, where he bade adie
:. ;. to the last of earth
/" "Several political generations have al
\ pearcd in this legislative temple sirce fir
y ~ took my seat, made their obeisance to MAJ
:. : kind, pronounce n few words, and then di
= appeared. Many have gone before mo
!. the unknown land Some have climbed
Is +, higher honors, aud some have disappeare
!, in the mass Of human beings who thron
y the earth
y "What scenes I have witnessed with
- these walls 1t were perhaps we'll to dra
- the veil of obscurity over them. The
~ ~ Garland and Bynum fought. On my LEI
;" near the door, White and Rathbun came i
.. to conflict. Opposite to where l sit, Har,
of son and johnson exchanged blows. B
~ time would fail me. were | to describe Il
= - ro-cnactments of Wier, AMI Stanly, M
= Bell, and Others, who fsu cd in those IL
~ worthy affrays. Tho fourshng Of can,
II the show of bowie-knives, and cooking
~ pistols, with the apparent purpose of assf
. sination, all rush upon the recollection MS
call to mind those scenes which marked I
" carly history Of the cause of Freedom.
;, 'Herc, too, have witnessed the hight
m IT, manifestations Of patriotism. l have be
- enraptured with the most sublime cloduen
and have laughed to perfect exhaustati
" under the facetious powcrsof Corwin, Stal
! weather, and others. But hero comes {
,or message from tile Senate, announcing {
ko death of Senator Bell, of New Hampshi
,r. Another friend isl gone. He was my iuni
to ir years and in service here. Hon. Mas
w. Tappan has risen TO pronounce an eu
ID. gy upon the deceased. In few momel
III. we shall resolve to 90 into mourning for 7
,is deceased friend. AS placed the sad g
hlcm upon my arm, departed scenes and {
parted friends must occupy my thoughts
Two Noble Acts.