The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1859-07-01

other branch Of Congress. To such an extent
was the idea of secluson carried, that, when
! this Chamber was completed, no seats were
prepared for the accommodation of the public
and il was not until many years afterwards
| that !he semi-crcular gallery was erected
| which admits the people 10 be witnesses Of
! your proceedings. But now, the Senate,
besides its peculiar relations 20 the executive
department Of the Government, assumes its full
share OF duty as a catgual branch of the Legislas
| ture indeed, from the limited number of Is
members, and for other obvious reasons, the
I 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 re-
garded as one of the highest honors which can
/ be conferred on an American statesman.
1t is scarcely necessary 20 point out the
| causes of this change, or to say that it is a
| concession both to the importance and the
! individuality OF the States, and 10 the free and
| open character ofthe Government.
In Connection with this easy but thorough
transition, it is worthy Of remark that it has
been effected without charge from any quarter,
that the Senate has transcribed It's constitution
al Sphere-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 essential
principles without inconveniently embarrassing
the action of the Government.
The progress fthIs popular movement, in
one aspect of it, has been steady and marked.-
At the origin of the Government no arrange
mpnts in the Senate were made for spectators
in this Chamber ab ut one third OF The space
is allotted TO the public and in the new,
apartment the galleries cover two thirds Of its
area. In all free countries the admission of
the people to witness legislative proceedings IS
ar essential element of public confidence and
it is no: 10 BE- anticipated that this wholesome
principle viii ever he abused by the subSthu-
ton of partial and interested demonstrations for
the expression OF matureu and enlightened
public opinion. Yet il should never BE- forgot
ten that not France, but the turbulent spectators
within the Hall, awed and controlled the !.
French Assembly. With this lesson and its
consequence before US, the time will never
come when the deliberations OF the Senate shall
be swayed by the Establishments or the thunders
of the galleries L. II
Il is impossible 10 di.Gonnecs from an o9' ="
hike e.iq t-r>u7d of fsfiectioas or pa |,
history, and OF specuaions on the turlre.-iP
The most mpagpr account of the Senate invOlves
a summary OF thu progress OF our country
From year to year you have seen your re-
presentation enlarge time and again YOU have
proudly welcomed new sister into the Con-
tedpracy and the occurrences OF this day are
material and impressive proof of the growth
aud prosperity Of the United States Three
periods in the history Of the Senate marx, in
striking contrast, three epoChs n the history of
the Union.
On the 3D. OF March, 1889, when the
Government was organized under the Consli;u-
lion, the Senate was composed olthe representa-
uves of eleven States, containing three mill
IONS Of people.
On the 9th of December, 1919, when the
Senate met ioT the first time in this room, it
was composed Of be representatives of twenty
one States containing nine millions Of people.
To-day it is composed The representatives
Of thirty-two States, containing more than
twenty-eight millions Of people, prosperous,
happy, and still devoted TO constitutional 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 ether people OF whom
history gives account and the mind is almost
appalled, at the contemplation of the prodgous
force winch has marked their progress. Sixty
nine years ago, Thirteen States containing three
millions of inhabitants, burdened with debt,
and exhausted by the long war Of indepen-
dence, established for their common good free
Constitution, on principles new to mankind,
and began their experiment with the good wishes
OF a few doubling friends and the derison Of
;he 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 center of population and political
power descending the western slopes of the
Allegheny mountains, and the original thirteen
States forming but the eastern margin on the
map of our vast possessions. See besides,
Christianity, civilization, and the arts given
10 continent; the despised colonies grown
/ into a Power of the first Glass; representing and
| protecting ideas that involve the progress Of
/ the human race commerce greater than that
OF any other nation free interchange between
/ the States every variety of climate, solI, and
! production 10 make a people powerful and
/ happy--in word, behold present greatness,
and, in the future. an empire to which the
ancient mist ress of the world in the height OF
/ her glorycould not be compared. Such is our
! country ; av, and more-iar more than my
| mind could conceive or my tongue could utter.
! Is there an American who regrets the past I?
! Is there one who will deride his country'S laws,
| pervert the Constitution, or alneate her people
! II there be such man, lei his memory descend
TO posterity laden with The execratons of all
mankind.
/ So happy is the political and social condition
ofthe United States, and SO accustomed are we
10 the secure enjoyment ofa freedom elsewhere
unknown, that we are TO undervalue the treas
ures we possess, and 10 lose, in some degree the
sense OF obligation TO our forefathprs. But
when the strifes Of faction shake the Govern