Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-01-07
Speech ex-senator Crittendcn on Vacating
the Old Senate Chamber

Mr.. CRirrENpEs rose and said: hope that |
may be INDUCED IN IL few words of parting from
This chamber. This is to be the last day OF our
session here; and this place, which has known us
80 long, is to know US more forever MS a Sen
ate. The parting seems to me. sir, to be some
what Of solemn one, aud full of cyrntfnl rccnl-
lections. | wish, however, only to ray Il few
words
Many associations, pleasant and proud, bind us
and our hearts TO this place. We cannot but feel
their influence, especially |, Mr. President whose
lot II has been IN serve in this body more years
than any other member present. That We
all should all be attached to it, that my longer as
soclntion should attach me to it, is most natural
Mr.. President, VIC cannot quit this CHAMBER with
cut some feeling OF sacred sadness This cham
Der has been the scene Of great events. Here
questions Of American constitution, aud laws have
been debated aud decided; que tiuns of empire
have occupied the attention Of this asscmblagc in
times past this the grand theatre upon which
those things have been enacted. Hey giyOa sort
81 cansecratcd character To this hnll.
SIR great men have been the actors here. The
ilIpsri1Gs dead that have distinguished this body
III times past. naturally rise To view on such
OCCASION. speak only of whn. have seen,
aad bat PARTIALLY of that, when say TINT here,
within these walls. have seen men whose fnmc
Is not surpassed. aud whose power and ability aud
patriotism are not surpassed by anything ofGic-
can of Roman name. have seen Clay AMI
Webster, and Calhoun, aud Benton. and Leigh
and Wright aud CLAYTON. (laet though not least
mugng together in this body at time, and
uniting their course- for the benefit Of their coun-
try. They seem to our imag ination and ,cneihil-
tlcS, CA such an occasion rs TINS L. have left their
impress on these very walls and this majestic
dome seems almost yet to echo with the voice Of
their cloquencc.
This hall seems to be local habitation for their
names. This hall in full Of the lurc odor of their
in. hos IaS
those | have named. Of whom viii not speak he
cause they have not yet closed their cnrrer-not
YET ended their services To the country, and they
viii receive their reward hereafter. There are a
bet ol others that might mention hat deserve
hc mcniioned--but it would tax" too long
Their names are in no danger OF beng forgotten,
nor their services unthought of or unl,norcd.
.'r, we leave behind us. in going from this hall
these ass citations these proud una nations so
we'll calculated to PROMPT to II generous emulation
nt their services to Their country; but will
~ along with MS to the chamber t. which
nrc I" 70. the spirit and memory at all these
things. will carry with all the inspiration
wAioh our illastrious predecessors calculated
jo ci,c: and wherever we sit we shall bc the Uni
ted States OF Americn--a great, n powerful, aeon
seryatlyc body IN the government If this country
AMI "A body that will maintain. n trust and be-
l"yc under all circumstances and in all times to
come, the honor, the right, aud tie glory of this
not leave behind us any sentiment Of patriotism
any devotion to the country which the illustrious
examples TINT have gone before MS Lave set to us.
These, like our household gods. viii be carried
with Ms; ani we, the representative IF the States
Of this mighty Union, will be found always equal
| rust, Ia the cxgencles of any dine that may
come upyn our country No matter under what
ii y !nny Sit no matter what dome may cover
u. the ereat patriotic spirit of the Senate Of the
United States will be there: and have an abiding
confidence that it will never fail in The pcrior-
i-ance Of its duty, sit where it may even though
il Ne1e in desert.
Eut il is yet, sir, not possible to- leave this hall
g,tir looks. 1t has been the scene OF the past;
til" new chamber is to be the scene %! the future:
M that future. hope. will not be dish 'nored by
| any comparisons to be made with the FAST. 1t,
to, will have its illustrations of great public ser
! wees rendered by great men and great patriots;
anl this body, the great preserva,t'r element OF
ia, government, will discharge all its duties, ia
king care preserve the union of the States which
they representative Of all their hunors, the
source Of the trust which they sit here execute
the source it has been and il Mi! De Of their
c"untry's greatness, happiness and lr sporty, in
! time to come as it has been in the Time thnt is
/ PAST.
Mr.. President. cannot detaiu you longer.
move that the vote o.. the Senate he nuw taken on
! the report which has been presented, and that i,
BE- ad pied.