The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-04-29

The Congress was that Of 1920 81, the
first under the second administration OF Mr..
Monroe himself. the last Of the Revolutions
~ Presidents, and in the last term OF his
public life. Both the Senate and the House
were impressive and venerable, from the
presence Of many survivors Of the first gene
ration. and brilliant with the sppariti0n OF
the young luuinaries Of the second genera
ton. then just appearing above the political
horizon, soon TO light up the whole political
armament with the splendors Of their genius,
and to continue shining in it, like fixed stars,
until gathered, in the fulness of time, to rest
with their fathers. TO name some, would
be to wrong others, equally worthy, less
brilliant To name. all who shone in this
armament would be to repeat, almost, the
whole list of the members Of the two Houses;
for, either brilliant or useful talent pervadcd
the whole ist--even the plainest members
respectable for the honesty OF their votes,
and close attention TO the business of the
House.
entered the Senate at that time, and felt
myself to bc among masters whose scholar
must long remain before ] could become u
teachcr-whose example ] must emulate,
without the hope Of successful imitation.
There they were, day in and day out, at their
places, punctual TO every duty, ripe in wis
dom, rich in knowledge, modest, yirtuous,
decorous, dcierental. and wholly intent upon
the public good. There ! made my first ac-
quaintance with the federal gentlemen Of the
old school, and while differing from them on
systems Of policy, soon came to appreciate
their high personal character, to admire their
finished manners, to recognize their solid pa
triotism according TO their views OF govern
ment, and TO ieel grateful to them us the
principal founders OF our Government, and
in all this, | only divided sentiments with the
old Republicans, all living on terms OF per
sonal kindness with their political adversa-
rles, and with perfect respect for each other s
motives and opinions.
They are all gone--tleir bodies buried in
the earth, their works buried under rubbish
and their names beginning TO fade from the
memory OF maitland |, (who stood so far
behind them in their great day, that praise
from me would have seemed inpertinence,)
! have become, IN some sort, their histori-
ographer and introducer to the world.
abridge the debates Of Congress those de-
bates in which their wisdom, virtue modesty,
patriotism lie buried resurrect the whole,
put them ia the scenes again on the living
stage, every one with the best of his works
in his hand labor Of love and pride to
me, of justice to them, and hope, of utility
to many generations. Such were the two
Houses of Congress which re-enacted the
Florida Territorial Bill, in 1921, which had
been first enacted (by predecessors not less
illustrousl in the Orleans Territorial Bill OF
1904, aud approved by Mr. Monroe cabl-
net--a cabinet unsurpassed by any one be-
fore or since John Quincy Adams, Secre.
tary of State W iIiam ii. Crawford, Sec
rotary Of the Treasury; John G. Calhoun,
Secretary Of War; smith Thompson, see
rotary Of the Navy; Return Jonathan
Meigs, Postmaster General William Writ
Attorney General BeHi0.s Abrdgmoa q
The Debate. Of Congress.