Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-01-08
VOL. 7---N0 136.


possessions. Sec besides, christianity civilization
and the arts given to n continent--the despised
colonies grown into power of the first class, rep
resentlng and protecting ideas that involve the
progress OF the human race--a commerce greater
than That OF any other nation-evcry variety of
climate, soil and production 10 make . people
powerful and happy-free Interchange betweon
the States-in word, behold present greatness,
and in the future an empire to which the ancient
mistress OF the world in tho hegh,h Of her glory
could not be compared Such is our country; nv,
and more fur more than my mind could conceive
or my tongue could utter. Is there an American
who regrets the past Is there one who will de-
ride his country'a laws, pcrvert her Consultation,
or ALLEVIATE her people? If there be such man let
his memory descend to poserity laden withthes1-
crntions of all mankind.
So happy is the political aud social condition of
tho United States.and accustomed are we to tho
secure enjoyment Of freedom elsewhere unknown
that we are apt to unlcrvalue the treasures we
posscss, and To lose in degree the sense Of OBJ
legation to foreiathers But when the strifos Of
faction shake the government and even threaten
| it, we may pause with advantage long enough 10
remember that We are re- lping tho rewnrd Of other
mons labors. This liberty We inhert--this adni.
rnble Constitution, which has survived peace and
war, prosperity and adyersity-this double scheme
Of government, State aud Federal 40 peculiar and
M little understood by uthor Powers, yet which
protects the earnings of industry, and makes the
largest personal freedom compatible with public
order these great results were not achieved with
out wisdom. and toll and blood. The touching
and heroic record is before the world: hat to oil
this born, aud like heirs upon whom
has been cast great Inheritance, have only the
high duty 10 preserve to extend, aud TO adorn it.
The grand productions Of the cru in which the
foundations Of this government were laid reveal
the deep scnse it. founders had oftheir obligations
to the whole family of man. Let never forget
TINT the responsibilities imposed ON this genera
tiuu are by much be urenter thnn those which
rested on our revolutionary ancestors. ns the pop
ulation. extent and power OF our country snrpass
the dawning promise Of i~ origin.
1t would bo pleasant task to pursue many
trims of thought, not wholly foreign to this oc-
cason. but the temptation to enter the wide
field must he vigorously curbed: yet { may be
paroned perhaps for one or two additional re-
| hrctions.
The Senate is assembled for the last time in this
chamber llcnceforthit will hc converted to other
uses; yet it must remain forever connected with
| great events, and sacred to the memories of tho
departed orators and statesmen, who have engag-
cd IN high debates and shaped tho policy OF their
country. Hereafter tho American and the stranger
MS they wander through the Capitol. will turn
with instructive reverence to view the spot on
which so many great materials have accumulated
for history, They will recall tho images Of tho
great and the good, whose renown IS the common
| property of the nnion and chiefly, perhaps, they
will lnger around tho sonts once occupha by
the mighty three, whose names and tame---aasp-
cinted in lfc--death has not been able w. sever;
| illustrons men, who In their generation sometimes
divided, sometimes led and sometimes resisted
public opnon--tor they were of that higher class
of statesmen who seek tho right that follow their
convictions. ..lt=.,,I
There sat Calhoun. tie Scnator--infexble,n nus
tore. oppressed, but not overwhelmed by hissdeep
sense oi the Importance of his public functions
seeking the truth, then iearessly following il; n
| n,nu hns intpllect rltCI all his
| cnotions Ia hnrmonize with the deductions Of his
| rigorous logic and whose noble countenance hab-
ilually the expression of one engaged IN the
performance of high public duties -,
This. was Webstcr's seat. lie, too was every
inch Senator. Conscious Of his own waist powers,
he reposod with confidence on himself and seotn-
ing the contrivances Of smaller men hc stood
among his peers all tho greater for the simple
| dignity Of his senatorial demeanor. Type of his
northern home, he rises before the imagination in
the grand and granite outline Of his form and IN
teect, like grent New England rock repelling
New England wave. As writer, bis produe-
tions will be cherished by statesmen and scholars
while the English tongue is spoken. Az o sena-
torial orator. his great efforts nre historically as
socated with this chamber, whose very air seems
yet to vbrate beneath the strokes Of his deep
tones and his weighty words.
On the outer circle, sat Henry Clay, with the
impetuous and ardent nature uptamed BY age and
exhibiting in the Senate the same vehement patti
otism and passionate eloquence that Of yorc, eiec
trifed the House of Representatives and the coun-
try. His extraordinary personal endowlncnts,
his courage his noble qualities, invested him
with an individuality and charm Of character
which, in any nge, would have made him n favor
| ito of history lie loved his country above NIL
earthly objects. lie loved liberty in al countries.
| Illustlious man orator, patriot, and philnnthro-
| pst--whose light, at its meridian, was and
felt in the remotest parts Of the civilized world;
md whose declining SUM- az il hastened down tho
Wust, threw back it's level beams in hues Of mel
lowed spsndor to illuminate and to cheer the Land
he loved and served so we'll. ....-.el..-,y :
All the States may point with gratifed pride to
the services in tho Senate Of their patriotic sons.
Crowding the memory, eonae tho names Of Adams.
IIayne, Mason, Otis, Macon. Pinckney and the
rest-I cannot number them-who, in the record
of their acts and utterances, appeal to their sue
ccssors to give the Union destiny not unworthy
! of tho past. What models were those to awaken
emulation, or to plunge into despair! Fortunate
will he the American statesman who, in this age
or in succeeding times shall contribute to invest
| the new hall to which go with historic memo
res like those which cluster here.
And now, Senators, we Leave this memorable
chamber, bearing with us, uni'nrairet, the CON
I stitution we received from our fure-tathers. Let
us cherish it with grateful Acknowledgement to the
| Divine Power who controls the dcstinies ct empS
! res and whose goodness adore. The structnrcs
reared bv men, yield to the corrodns tooh ot tune
! These marble walls must mouldcr with rain; but
tho principles of constitutional liberty guarded BY
| wisdom and virtue, unlike material elements, %
| not decay Let us devoutly trust that RnOther
| Senate, in another age, shah bear " u new and
larger chamber this Constitution vigorous and p-,
yioatc--and the last generation of postefity shah
witness the deliberations Of the representativesf
American States still united prosperous End
free. , rs. ~ fzs s "a >tf q.