Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-01-06
Mr.. Crit:enden's Speech in the Senate

VII ut>udN, tHt NolIlililtt' dI l'oih''' ''i
the purpose, made report, in favor Of va
eating the Old Senate Chamber. and proceed
ing To take possession of the New Chamber:
Mr. CRIrTENDEN. move You. Mr.. Presl-
dent and Senators. that we proceed ut once
TO the consideration of this report. and that
it be adopted That is the purpose for which
| rise. Before, however. submitting that mo-
ton to the vote of the Senate, hope that
NAV be INDUCED in few words of parting
! from this chamber This i 10 y" the last
dav of our session here: and this place, which
has known Us so long, is To know Us no more
forever as Il Senate. The parting seems t.
me. sir. 10 be somewhat Of Il solemn one, and
! full Of eventiul rec"llections. | wish, how
ever. only to say few words.
Many associations, pleasant and proud.
bind Us and our hearts 10 this place. We
cannot but feel their influence, especially l,
MIR. President. whose lot it has been 10 serve
in this body more years than any other mem
Der now present That we should all be at.
tached to it, that my longer association should
attach me to it, is most natural. Mr.. Presi-
dent we cannot quit this chamber without
some feelings of sacred sadness. This cham-
| Der has been the scene OF great events. Here
questions Of American constitutions ami laws
! have been debated: questions OF peace ana
war have been debated and decided; questions
of empire have occupied the attention OF this
assemblarc in times past: this was the grand
theatre upon which these things have been
enacted. They give a sort Of conSecrated
character TO this Hall.
Sir. great men have been the actors 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 that,
when say that here, within these walls,
have seen men whose fame is not surpassed,
and whose power and ability and patriotism
are not surpassed. 10y anything Of Greclan or
of Roman name | have seen Clay and W cb-
stcr and Calhoun and Benton, and Leigh
and Wright and Clayton, last though not
least mingling together i'll this body az one
time, and uniting their counsclS for the ben
eft of their country They seem to our mag
nation and Sensibilties ON such an occasion
Us this, to have left their impress on these
very walls: and this majestic dome seems al
most veto echo with the voice Of their clo-
1uence. This hall seems to be local habl-
tation for their names. This hall is full OF
the pure odor Of their ustly-carncd fame
There are others besides those | have named,
of whom | will not speak, because they have
not vet closed their carecr-nOt yet ended
their services to the country: and they VIII
receive their reward hereafter There are Il
host of others that | might mcntion-that
deserve 10 be mentionod-but it would take
too long. Their names are in no danger Of
being forgotten. nor their services unthOught
of or unhOnOrcd.
Sir, we leave behind us, i'll going from
this hall these associations. these proud i'm
aginations 50 well calculated to prompt 10 Il
generous emulation of their services 10 their
country: but we will carry along with us, to
the new chamber 10 which We are To 60, the
spirit and the memory Of all these things: ""
will carry with Us ali the inspiration which
our illuStrious predecessors are calculated Ia
give: and wherever We SIT We shall be the
Senate Of the United States Of America
great a powerful Il conservative body III the
government of this country, anda body that
will maintain H. trust and believe, under all
circumstances and in all times 10 come, the
honor, the right, and the glory oft this country.
Because we leave this chamber, we shall not
leave behind us any sentiment OF patriotism,
any devotion to the country which the Illus
trious exempars that have gone before Us
have set to us. These like our household
gods. will he carried with us: and we, the
representatives of the States of this mighty
Union. will be found always equal, | trust,
| TO the exigcncieS of any time that may come
upon our country. No matter under what
sky we may sit, no matter what dome may
cover us. the great patriotic spirit OF the Sen
ate of the United States will be there; and
have an abiding confidence that it will never
fail in the performance of its duty, sit where
we NAV. even though it were in desert.
But it is yet, sir, not possible to leave this
hall without casting behind us many long
ings and lingering looks. 1t has been the
scene of the past; the new chamber is to he
the scene of the future; and that future, |
hope, will not be dishonored by any COMPARE
son to he made with the past. 1t. too, will
have its illustration. of great public services
rendered 10y great men and great patriots:
and this body. the great preventative element
of the government. will discharge all its du-
ties. taking care to preserve the Union of the
States which they representative source Of
all their honorS, the source OF the trust which
they sit here to execute the source IL it has
been and rs it will he. Of their country great
ness, happiness, and prosperity. liz times to
come "a il has been in the time that Is past.