Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-03-10
Tn. Err. Session Called.

serve order until q communication, which be
handed the Clerk, could be read. Symptoms
of opposition to its PRONUNCIATION were mani
tested, and some little confusion ensusd,
which the Speaker repressed by directing
the Clerk to proceed with the reading. The
Clerk accordingly read the PROCLAIM alton.
During the reading, the Delegates were
standing in the slsles, or at their desks, some
of them taking more elevated positions upon
their chairs and desks. The clause relative
to mileage produced burst Of laughter and
Applause which continued for some moments,
and was renewed when the summons to the
Legislature to meet on Monday was proclaim
ed After the Clerk had finished the read
ing of the proclamation, a general Gail for
Wise" "Wise," was made.
The Governor who was sitting near the
portrait of Chancellor Kent, arose TO respond,
and Speaker Crutch6eld, remsrking that he
would constitute himself presiding officer for
the occasion, called the assemblage to order
but the members and others who had crowd
ed into the Hall, whilst observing silence,
continued to stand in the aisles, etc. The
galleries were filled with cit zens.
Gov. Wise then proceeded to address the
assembled throng lie said that be felt
somewhat embarrassed by the novelty of his
position. The bill u rights, though 1t pro-
claims that the judiciary department. OF the
government shall be separate ard distinct
from the legislative aud executive depart
ments, does not proclaim that the executive
and legislative department. shall be separate
and distinct from each other. He would
tha
cally and theoretically brought in copJunc-
ton with each other In contact with each
other, in Co operation with each other, there
never has been u time in the history OF the
Commonwealth. when the members OF the
General Assembly have met the Executive
under circumstances like those Low sur
rounding them.
For two years (said Gov. W | have labor
ed early and late; | have been employed
morning, noon, and night, with anxious
thought and weary labor, to prepare matter
for the consideration of the General Assem-.
bly, OF this beloved Commonwealth. 1t is
not for me to say how 10Y part has been per,
formed, but this much can say, with all
kindness, if you will permit me to say it,
that the chief part OF the labor was not too
little but too much. Perhaps, sir, three
regular messages and an extra message,
we're a little too much for biennial session
of three months. | acknowledge The error.
But whilst the matter Of the messages spoke
it's own importance, its merits or dement's,
undertake to say, could not receive the ma
ture investigation of the General Assembly
during a session Of three months. That pc
riod of time is not enough for the transac-
ton Of business of q Commonwealth like
this. 1t is but Just to you to say that you
might have brought the men of the past here,
such mighty giants Of the past as Phillip
Doddridge, OF the great c1dlfer, the lllustTl,
Gus Leigh himself, and there was matter and
work for our mother Commonwealth to be
done and performed, that three months time
was not sufficient for.
IF YOU have debated at times, when debate
was not necessary, your committees have
been diligently employed, with thought and
study, in maturing business tor your action
but by the time this was nvestig gated, the bank
question considered, the public accounts
searched, and new matter proposed for exam
| ination and discussion, why the ninety days
were expired. The time was too short. Ap'
| plsuse.
The matter you have been sitting on for
the last three months occupied my feeble
abilities for twelve months. That which
YOU have said, sir, is undoubtedly true.
biennial session of three months Is too short
a time for a Commonwealth that Is Just be-
ginning to put on all the beauty and fresh
ness of youth Every year discovers some
now element of her might every DAY opens
10 new mine of power. Whether you look
70 her commerce, to the new Subsection OF
legislation from the low land to the blwels 81
her mountains, or the vast reach OF her em-
pire westward, there is work tor giants,
requiring almost preternatural Strength a
work thu. calls for the exercise CT profound
thought and arduous labor.
| 1t is not an easy task, now, to accomplish
the destiny of Virginia, and God forbid that
her destiny should now be sighted. Come
up to the work without fear, and without Ia
yor. WIT come full of affection. Drop poll
tics, drop divisions and heart bu rnlngs, II
there be any, and meet here together, IN one
brotherhood on Monday next to act and con-
suit with calm reflection for the welfare and
! glory OF Virginia. Let US wipe out the mem
! cries of the past three months, but retain
the work you have digested. Let small
| t0l0R9 Anu COuto ptlUlc bS oNbNNr
and with righteousness, magnanimity aud
self devotion, sustaining u.s. let us see whether
after three months already spent In maturing
business, VIC cannot do the work OF the Com
monwealtb Do it well, and you will not
have to apologize to your constituents, but,
rather will you receive from them the plaudlt
of "Well done, thou good aud faithful ser
wants" (Applause.)
speak here as man and as an othclal.
Personally, have no faVUrs to ask of friend
or foe. (Applsuse) Officially; | serve friend
and foe. (Renswed applause.l ! know that
am not justified in saying foe; permit me to
take back that word. will not recognise that
have foe in either branch Of the General
Assembly, No,-PersOnalIy, officially, kind
", honestly, ] tender to you any c'-opera-
ton. Let US with united will serve our
mother Commonwealth. After The peaceful
Sabbath shall intervene, let rs meet here, as
the children of old Virginia who have deter
mined never to desert her. (Applause)
Gov. Wise then remarked thas ne had
friends on ell sides, some OF whom had asked
him 20 call an extra session, and others re
ouested delay OF day or two. II was
SINGULAR fact, he said, that tho bachelors
who bad no wives. were the very first who
desired to 20 to their homes. This aiius'on
produced considerable merriment, which was
heightened by the sympathy which the
! r, .~..o,,ad for tha for lOrn condition