The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1859-09-17
Th. V.ter.n s.n.tor..

W.
The Veteran ssnators. -
The New York Courier makes the follow
ing comments upon the withdrawal Of the
veterans from the u. S. Senatesi sg7
The result of the recen 4 Kentucky cleo
ton settles that John j. Crittenden cannot
be reelected to the Senate. And though
his term happily does not expire until 1861,
that date must see his withdrawal from Sem
atorial life forever. His retirement succeeds
those of Bell and Houston, which have al
ready taken place, and will bear away the
last of the old elements of the body There
will be nothing left that even in the way of
courtesy, can be called veteran statesman
ship. Senator Pearce, of Maryland, Sim
mons, Of Rhode Island, Senator Cameron, OF
Pennsylvania, and Senator Yulee of Flori-
da, viii be the only men in the Senate who
were there twelve years ago, and OF those
only the first has remained continuously
since. At no time previous, during the
present century, has the Senate been 50 uni
versally made up OF comparatively fresh
material r.El rsfas1. aye, lrt
- The Senate seems to be fast losing the du-
rable quality that once distinguished it,
We have long since ceased TO look for this
quality i'm the House of Representa- ves.
The great bulk of that body, We now take
il az q matter Of course, 10 to be made mp OF
new aud inexperienced men, Once maiden
,peech there was among the events of the
session now the daily doings Of the session
consist of little else than maiden speeches.
We know how III this constant 'fiuX OF ele-
ments has worked i'm the House. IL has
contributed more than anything else 70 re-
duce il to its present unmanageableuess and
inefficiency. Yet relief has been found
in the stability of the Senate The public
have been in the habit of looking to that
experienced body for its highest and broad
| est views OF public policy; and almost all
| of the great debates which have shaped
public opinion have taken place in that
body.
ss Senators speeches are about the only ones
ever circulated over the length aud breadth
OF our land, aud the only ones ever quoted
in Europe as indices of American policy and
stalesmanship. But the Senate must inev-
\ itably lose this proud distinction, If IT, too,
like the House, is to be subjected to sweep
ing changes. True craftsmanship is a thing
! of slow growth. Whatever native genius
may do at the Start, long experience il in
dispensable to its maturity. There is no
such parsonage as the born legislator.
Ii we wold have skillful and safe legisla-
| ton, We must have men who by long Obser-
vation and dilligent practice have become
adopts in legislation; and in view OF the
complicated character Of all great public
questions, and the immense interests depen-
ding on their right solution, a whole life
is hardly too long for the requirement of a
wisdom equal TO senatorial responsibilities.
True our American Senate is representa-
tive body, and in that view it is desirable
thstit should frequoRtly have fresh infusions.
Thus alone can it be kept in due sympathy
with the great popular pulse without. But
there is no danger that there will ever be
any lack on this score. American politics
are too huctuating TO admit of it. The real
danger lies on the other side. What is &c
be feared is not that there will be nothing
new gained, bnt that there will be- nothing
old left-not that the Senate win loos,
knowledge Of the popular heart but that il
will loose that breadth of comprehension
and mastery of judgment which best come
} from long aud thorough training. We say
tncu tuht u Is ntSiOttuuc W tic Socudts
itself, that it is to be completely eliminated
of its older elements-that its new leader
can only reckon single years in public lifi
whers the old leaders used 10 reckon lus
trums. II
The three veteran Senators have all beel
sacrificed for their devotion to the old prin
cipl aud policy which ruled the government
with such happy effect when they entere,
upon public llte. They could not forget th
old lessons; they could not assume ne,
convictions, even 10 please their constituent, Z,
They have been true 10 themselves, au
true not only in motive but Ia actual fact
to the best interests Of the country
The time, We are conhdent, will 500
: come when their enlightened views upo
the folly and danger OF the new-fangle
:. pro slavery legislation, which beganby brea
ing down the Missouri Compromise, and hs
gone on minuovation to innovation, will b
accepted by the very States which hav
, prescribed them. Indeed, the late electio
in Tennessee, where these matter were mar
!, fully met, indicates that the destined chang
y has already set in. But, whether these =,
tired statesmen soon obtain at home the NJ
J. preciationdue theuSOr net, the true men of ii
Northcan never hesitate for moment to a,
cord them their sincerest admiration. This tr
butte Is not paid simply, or even chiefly, /
!. their lofty sagacity and luminous pswer, b,
to the moral courage which they displays