Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1859-01-28

the people to witness legislative procee dings Is
an essential element Of public confidence, aud
it is not to be anticipated that this wholesome
principle will ever be abused by the substitG-
tion OF partial and interested demonstrations
for the expression of a rDatured and enlighten-
ed public opinion. Yet it should never be for
gotten that not France, but the tu rbulent spec
tators within the hall, aWed and controlled the
French Assembly. With this lesson aud its
consequences before us, the time will never
come when the deliberations Of the Senate shall
be swayad BY the Establishments or the thun-
ders of the galleries.
1t IS impossible to disconnect from an occa-
sion like this, crowd Of reflections on cur
own past history, and of speculation on the fu,
tnre. The most meagre account Of the Senate
involves a summary Of 4he progress of our
country. From year TO year, you have seen
your representation enlarge; time and again
you have proudly welcomed new sister Into
the Confcderaey. aad the occurrences Of this
day are material and impressive proof of tho
growth apd prosperity Of the United States.
Three periods in the history Of the Senate mark
u striking contrast three epochs in the history
Of the Uuion.
On the 81 Of March, 1889, when the gov
ernment was organized under the Constitution
the Senate was composed of The representatives
OF eleven States, containing three millions Of
people
On the 6lh of December, 1919, when the
Senate met for ths FIRST time, in this room, it
vas composed of the representatives of twenty
one States, containing niue millions Of people.
To-Gay,it is composed Of the representa-
tircs of fhirty-two Suites, containing more than
| twenty-eight n.illions Of people, prosperous,
happy, and still devoted 10 constitutional liber-
ty. Let these great facts speak Tor thenl-
selves TO ell the world
Tue career OF the United Suites cannot
be measured By that CT any people Of whom
history gives aecet,ut; ana the mind i almost
appalled, at contemplation Of the proligious
force which has nlrked their progress. Sixty
uiae years ago, thirteen States, caa.aiuing three
millions Of inhsbitanss, burdened with debt,
and exhausted by the long rsar Of indepen-
dencc, established for their common good free
constitution, on principles new 10 mankind, and
began their experiment with tie GOOD wishes of.
few doubling friends, aud Tie derision Of
the whole world. Look at the result To-
day: :weuty-eight millions OF people, IL every
way happier than an equal number in aay 9th
er part Of the globe, the ccutre of population
ana political power descending the western
slopes of the Allegheny nsslgtains, sud he
aEls!sai tt;r;e11 States, To- ming bul the east
EN- margin on the map Of our vast possessions
See, besides, christianity, civilization, and the
arts given 10 eontiuent-tEe despised colonies
grown into power of the first class, represents
ing and protecting ideas that inFolge lie proe-
ress OF the human race-a commerce greater
than that of any other nation every variety
Of climate, soil, and production to make peo-
pie powerful and happy--trce Interchange be-
tween the States-iu word, behold present
greatness, aud in the future an empire 10 which
the ancient mistress of the world in the height
Of her glory eould not be compared Sdch is
our country: ay, aud more than my mind could
conceive, or my tongue could utter. Is there
American who regrets the pastl Is there
one who will deride his couetry's laws, rervert
his Constitution, or ALLEVIATE her peop!ea If
there be such man, let bis memory descend to
posterity laden with the execra'ions Of all man
kind.
So happy is the political aud social condition
Of the U. States, and SO accustomed are NE to
the secure enjoyment Of freedom elsewhere
unknown, that we arc apt to undertake. The
treasures we possess, and 10 lose in some de-
gree the sense of obligation TO our forefathers
But when the strifes of faction shake the gov
crnment, and even threaten il, We may pause
with advantage long enough to remember tina,
we ere reaping the reward Of other nleu's la
bors. This liberty we inheIit-this admirable
Constitution, which has survived peace and war,
prosperity and adycrsity-this double scheme
OF government, State and Federal, SO peculiar
and SO little understood by other Powers, yet
which protects he earnings Of industry, and !
makes the largest personal freedom compatible
with public order; these great results Tere not |
achieved without wisdom, and toll, and blood |
The touching and heroic record is before Ehe |
world; but to all this we were born, and like |
heirs upon whom has been cast great inleri. |
tance, have only the high duty to preserve, to I
extend, and to adorn it. The grand produce |
tions Of the era in which The foundations of this /
government were laid, reveal the deep sense its /
founders had of their obligations to the whole |
family of man. Let us never forget that the
imposed on this generation are
by so much the greater than those which rested
on our revolutionary ancestors, as tho popula-
tiop, extent and power Of our country surpass
the davning promise of its origin.
1t would be pleasing task TO pursue many
trains of thought, not wholly foreign TO this oc-
casion, but the temptation 10 enter the wide |
field must be vigorously eurhed: yet may be |
pardoned, perhaps for ono or TWO additional re-
hections. K
Tae Senate is assembled for the last time iusI
this chamber. hencefcrth it viii be converted
70 oiheI uses; yet mus, renaain forever connect
ed with great events, aad sacred to the memo
ries cf ihe departed orators and statesmen who
have engaged in high declares. ana shaped tbe.
pdcJ Of sGeir country. Hereafter tho AmeTi-aalI
oan and the stranger, as they wanderer thro'
the Capitol, viii turn with instructive reverence
10 view the spot on which so many and great