Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-01-10
me New senate Chamber.

On the 4th inst, the Senate of the
United States gave up the old Chamber as a
place of deliberation, and took possession. of
the new one. The old Senate Chamber was
built after the burning of the Capitol on the
oath August. 1874, by the Britisb. 1t was
first occupied on the 9Th December 1878, and
has been occupied for little more than 80
years consecutively. On the occasion of re-
moval, speeches were delivered by Mr.. CRIT
TENDES and the Vice-Presidrnt We can
only find room to-day for the former:
Mr.. Crittenden rose and said Il hope that
may he indnlged in a fnw words OF parting
from this chamber. This is tn be the last day
Of our session here; and This place which has
known so long, is to know us no more
forever as Senate The parting seems TO
me. sir. to he somewhat of a solemn one. and
fnll of eventful recollections. l wish, how
ever. only to say q few words.
Many associations pleasant and proud.
bind Ms and our hearts to this place. We
cannot but feel their influence. especially j,
Mr.. President, whose lot it has been 20 serve
in this body more years than any other men,
Der now present. That we should all he at
attached to it. that my longer association
should attach me TO it, is most natural. Mr..
L
ont some feeling of sacred sadness. This
chamber has heen the scene of great events.
Here questions of American constitutions ard
laws have been debated: questions of p ace
aud war have been Debated and decided;
questions Of empire have occupied the atten-
tion of this assemblage in times past; this
was the grand theatre upon which these things
have been enacted They give a sort OF con-
secrated character to this hall.
hau "a here.
The illustrious dead that have distinguished
this body in times past, naturally rise to our
view on such an occasion. | speak only OF
what / have seen, and but partially OF thai
when | say that here, within these walls, |
have seen men whose fame is not surpassed,
and whose power aud ability and patriotism
are not surpassed by anything of Grecian or
of Roman name. / have seen Clay and Web
ster. and Calhoun and Benton. and Leigh.
and Wright. and Clayton, CaSt though not
least) ningling together in this body at one
time. and uniting their counsels for the bene-
fit of their country. They seem to our ina
ginatiOn and scnsiblities, on such an occasion
as this to have left their impress on these
very walls and this majestic dome seems al
most yet to echo with the voice OF their elo-
quencP.
This hall seems TO be a local habitation
for their names. This hall is full Of the pure
j
Others besides those have named of whom /
will not speak. because they have not yet
closed their career-not yet ended their SER
vices TO the country; and they will receive
their reward hereafter. There are a host of
others that might meniOn-that deserve to
be mentioned-but it would take too long
Their names are in no danger of being for
COTTON, nor their services unthought OF or
unhonOred.
g.. . g
hall, these associations, these proud imagina-
tions, so well calculated to prompt to
geneI ons emulation of tn ir services to their
country; bat we will carry along with us, to
the new chamber to which we are to go, the
spirit and the memory of all these things;
we will carry with us all the inspiration
which our ilustriOus predecessors are cal
culated to give; and wherever we sit we
shall be the Senate of the United States of
America-a great, a powerful, a conservative
body in the government of this country, and
body that will maintain, as | trust and
believe, under all circumstances and in all
time 10 come, the honor. the right, and the
glory OF this country. Because leave this
chamber, we shall not leave behind us any
sentiment of patriotism, any devotion to the
country which the ilustrous eXamplars that
have gone before us have set 10 us.
These, like our household gods, will be car
rlcu Win US, hHu We. the representatives. OI
the States OF this mighty Union. VIII be found
always equal, | trust, to the eXigencies OF any
time that may come upon our country. No
mutter under what sky we may sit; no matter
what dome may cover us, the great patriotic
spirit of the Senate of the United Safes will
be there; and have an abiding confidence
that it will never fail in the performance of
its duty, sit while it may, even though it were
in a desert.
But it is yet, sir. not possible to leave this
hall without casting behind us many longing
aud lingering looks. II has been the scene OF
the past; the new chamber is TO be the scene
of the future /; and that futur', hope, will
not be dishOnorrd by any comparisons to be
made with the past. It. too. viii have its il
Illustrations of great public services rendered
by great men and great patriots; and this
body, the great prescrvative element of the
gov rnment will discharge all It's duties,
taking care TO preserve the union of the
States which they represcnt-the source of
all their honors. the source Of the trust which
they sit here to execute. the source as it has
been and a. it will he of their cOuntry's
greatness, happiness. and prosperity, in times
To come as il has been in the time that is past.
Mr.. President, | cannot dctain you longer.
| move that the vote of the Senate be now
taken on the report which has been presented,
and that n hn ndoutp1