The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1859-01-07
The Old and the New Hall of the United
States Senate.

On Wednesday, tho Senate of the United
States removed from tho old Hall, which had
been tho scene of 80 many intellectual con.
tests, into tho new. Wo give a ,eographic
summary of tho proceedings of that body,
upon tho interesting occasioE:
Tho Senate mot at noon in tho old hall,
from which tho desks had bocn removed,
but supply of cane bolLomud chairs had
boon provided for their accommodations
Tho galleries aud floor woro crowded not.
w;thslanding the falling snow, it having beon
understood that tho Vice Prcsideut, MIR
Crittenden, and others would speak.
Tho proceedings as usual opened with
prayer and the reading of tho journal, ntter
which Mr.. Stuart of Mich, moved that as
many ladies wore unprovGcd with seats in
tho gallery, would bu admitted to the floor.
Mr. llcmIn, of Mo, objected to the
ground that the admission of ladies would
embarrass tho Legislative business, conso-
qucntly tho ladies were not admitted.
Mr.. Davis, of Miss, submitted tho report
of tho Committee stating that tho now
Chamber was ready.
MIR. Crttendon moved tho adoption of the
report. Tho parting from the chamber he
Many associations many of them pleasant
and proud ones,-bind US to this charntor.
Ii has been the scene OF great events
Questions OF tho American Constitution
questions of great national impnri-qsos
tIons of peace and war hava boo" debated
III Inls chamber, Great men had frpaucnt-
ly been tho actors within these walls. He
had seen men whose names aud iamo had
no; been surpassed in Greek or Roman his
tory. IiOre he had econ Clay, Webster.
Calhoun and Others. They haVo loft on
these walls the impress Of their tamc. This
majestic dome soems yot TO echo with their
voices.
Thuro arc others too, whom no would not
designate, for they had not yet fulfilled their
political services, but whose names are in no
danger o: being forfeited. When tho Soma
tors arc removed to the new Chamber, they
will carry with them tho inspiration OF their
predecessors. Thoy will leave behind tham
no iota of patriotism or attachment to tho
Constitution, thoso, our Household Gods,
arc carried with us. The new hall viii! bo
tho sceno of tho past Thero they will over
remain tho Senate of the United States. tho
great presorvativo Of this great nation, con-
serving the sovereignty OF tho States, and
the integrity of the Union.
The Vice President addressed tho Senate
giving historical sketches OF Congress at tho
various seats of Government until its lOca.
tion ut Washington. lilo then narrated the
burning of tho Capitol by tho British army.
Tho assembling thereafter Of tho Congress
in Blodgott's Hall, on tho site now occupied
0y the general Post Office, and finally tho
assembling in 1919 in tho present building.
lie thon went into an interesting compari-
son of tho character of tho Senate in tho
carly days of tho Governments and now
Then II was almost wholly an Executive
body, and much OF its business was transac.
ted with closed doors. Tho President often
took part in Gebates, and it was not .for
many years that gallarios wero provided for
spectators.
llc spoke Of tho great mission tho nation
has fulfilled. and is destined to fulfill urged
upon Senators due appreciation of tho
responsibilities upon them. aud reviewed
The Senatorial caroor Of the great dead.
whose achlOVments and services in that
chamber illuminate nur histnrv