Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1859-01-29
PIckENs COURT HOUSE. s. C. SATURDAY. JANUARY 49, 1859

executive department Of the Government.
assumes its full share of duty as co-equal
branch of the Legislature T; indeed, from
the limited number of itsmembers, and for
other obvious reasons, the most important
questions, especially of foreign policy, are
apt to pass first under discussion in this
body, and to be member of it is Justly
regarded as one of the highest honors which
can be conferred on an American states
man.
1t is scarcely necessary to point out the
causes of this change, or to say that it is n
concession both to the importance and the
Individuality of the States, and to the free
and open character of the Government.
In connection with this easy but thor
ough transition, it is worthy of remark that
1t has been effected without charge from
any quarter that the Senate has transccn-
dcd Its constitutional sphcrc-a tribute at
once to the moderation of the Senate. and
another proof to thoughtful men of the
comprehensive wisdom with which the
trainers OF the Constitution secured essen
tlal principles without inconvcnicntly en-
Darrasslng the action IF the Government.
The progress of this popular movement,
IN one aspect of it, has been steady and
marked At the origin of the Government
no arrangements in the Senate were made
Tor spectators; III this Chamber about one
thlrd ot the space is allotted to the public :;
ana IN the new apartment of the galleries
cover two,thirds of its area. I'm all free
countries the admission of the pcople To
witness legislative proceedings is an essen
tlal element ofpublic confidence and it is
not to be anticipated that this wholesome
principle will ever be abused by the sub,
stitutlon of partial and Interested demon
Stratlons for the expression of matured
and enlightened public opinion. Yet it
should never be forgotten that not France,
but the turbulent spectators within the
Hall, awcd and controlled the French As
sembly. With this lesson and it's conse-
quencc before us, the time will never come
when the deliberations of the Senate shall
be swaycd by the Establishments or the
thundcrs of the galleries.
1t is impossible to disconnlct from an
occasion like this, a crowd of reflections on
our own past history, and of speculations
on the future. The most moagre account
OF the Senate involves summary of the
progress of our country. From year to
year you have seen your representation en-
large; time and again you have proudly
welcomed new sister into the Confedera-
cy and the occurrences of this day are a
material and impressive proof Of the growth
and prosperity of the United States. These
periods in the history of tho Senate mark.
IN striking contrast, three cpochs in the
history of the Union.
On the 3D. of March, 1889, when the
Government was organized under the Con
stltutlon, the Senate was composed of the
representatives of eleven Sta 'es, containing
three million people.
On the 9th of December. 1919, when
the Senate met for the first time in this
room, 1T was composed ofthe representatives
of twenty-five States, containing nine mil
lion people.
To-day it is composed of the representa-
tives of thirty-two States, containing more
than twenty-eight million people, prosper
Gus, happy and still devoted to constitu-
tional liberty. Let these great facts speak
for themselves to all the world.
The career of the United States cannot
be measured by that of any other people
of whom history gives account; and the
mind is almost appalled, at the contempla-
tion of the prodigious force which has mar
ked their progress. Sixty-nine years ago,
thirteen States, containing three millions
OF Inhabitants, burdened with debt, and ex-
hausted by the long war of independence,
established for their common good a free
Constitution, on principles new to mankind,
and began their experiment with the good
wishes of few doubling friends and the
derision of the world Look at the result
to day. twenty.eight millions of people, in
every way happier than an equal number
In any other part of the globe-the centre
of population and political power descend
ing the Western slopes of the Allegheny
mountains, and the orignal thirttgn States
forming but the Eastern margin on the
map of our vast possessions See besides
Christianity, civilization and the ants given
to continent the dcspised colonies grow
into power of the first class, representing
and protecting ideas that involve the pro.
| grcss OF the human race a commerce grca-
ter than that of any other nation; every
variety of climate. soil and production to
MAKE people powerful and happy; free
interchange between the States--in word,
behold present greatness, and, in the flu
ture, an empire to which the ancient mis-.
tress of the world, in the height of her glo.
ry, could not be compared Such is our
country aye, and more--far more than
my mind could conceive or my tongue
could utter. Is there an American who
regrets the past? Is there one who will
deride his country's laws, pcrvert her Con-
stitution, or ALLEVIATE her people? If there