Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1859-02-19

| W CIIIcI tno OeHhtcS uIu ~ Will w TeuuCtuUoh
ed, that 70 late as 1912, the great debates
which preceded the war AMI aroused the coun
try 10 the assertion OF its rights, took place II
the other branch Of Congress. 70 such an ex
tent was the idea of seclusiOn carried, tina
when this chamber was completed, no scat
were prepared for the accommodation Of thu
public; and it was not until many years Of
terwards that tho seni-circulaF gallery wal
erected which admits tho people to be witness
es Of your proceedings. But now, the Senstc
besides Its peculiar relation 70 the executive
department Of the Government, assumes III
full share Of duty as q coequal branch Of the
Legislature indeed, from the limited number
Of its members, and for other obvious reasons
the most important questions, especially o.
foreign policy, arc apt to pass first under dig
cuSSiOn in this body, aud to be q member o
1t is justly regarded as one Of the highest hon
ors which can be conferred on an American
statesman.
tits scarcely necessary to point out the caus
es Of this change, or to say that II is conces
sion both to the importance and the individ
uality of the States, and to the free aud open
character Of the government.
In connection with this easy but thorough
transition, it il worthy Of remark that 1t has
been effected without charge from any quar-.
ter that the Senate lras transcended its cOnsti.
tutional spheres tribute at once to the mod.
Grafton Of the Senate, and another proof "a
thoughtful men or the comprehensive wisdom
with which the iramCrs Of the constitution se.
cured essential principles without inconven.
ien,iy embarrassing the action Of the govern
mcnt.
Tho progress Of this popular movement, in
one aspect Of il, has been steady and marked.
AT tho origin Of the government no arrange
mcnts in the Senate were made for spectators
in this chamber about one-third Of the space
is allotted to the public; and in the new aPaIt:
ment the. galleries cover two.thirds Of ity alta.
In all free countries the admission Of the, ,Ieo.
pic to witness legislative proceedings, II an
essential element Of public confidence; and Il
Is not to be anticipated that this wholesome
principle will ever be abused by the substitu-
ton Of partial and interested demonstrations
for the expressions Of . matured and enlight-
cned public opinion. Yet Il should never be
forgotten that not France, but the turbulent
led tho French Assembly. With this lesson
never come when the deliberations of the Sen.
ate shall bO swayed by the Establishments OF
the thunders of the galleries.
It is impossible to discOnnect from an occa.
sion like this crowd ofreaections on Our own
past history, aud on speCulatioIS on tho fl,
ture. The most meagre account Of the Sen.
ate involves y summary.oE the progress of our
country. From year TO year you have seen
your representation enlarge; time aud again
you have proudly welcomed new siSter Into
the confederacy and the occurrences; Of this
day arOA material and impressive proof the
growtha1d prosperity. Of the United States
Three periods In the history Of the Senate,
mark, In striking contrast three epochs In the
history of the Union.
On the Cd Of March, 1850, when the, GOV.
ernment was organized under the consultation,
the Senate was composed Of the represents.
tives Of eleven States, containing three rnilliOu
Of people.
On the 9th Of December, 1919, when the
Senate met for the Hrst time In this room, Il
was composed OF the representatives Of TWEEN.
ty.One States, containing pine million people
To-day Il is composed ofthe representative
Of thirty.twO States, contalninE more thar
twcnty.cight million people, prosperous, hap.
py, and still devoted ~ constitutional liberty
Let these great facts speak for themselves u
oil the world.
The career Of the United States cannot bc
measured by that Of any other people Of whom
history gives account; and the minds almost
appalled, at the contemplation Of the prodig.
ious force which has marked their progress
Sixty .ninc years ago, thirteen States, contain.
ing three millions Of Inhabitants, burdened
with debt, and exhausted by the long war oI
independence, established for their common
good free constitution, on principles new tc
mankind, and began their experiment with
the good wishes 0fA few doubling friends and
the derisiOn Of the world. Look ct the result
to-day; twcntY-eight millions Of people in ev.
cry way happier that an equal number in any
other part Of the globe; the centre Of pOpuls,
ton and political power descending the ives.
tern slopes OF the Allegany mountains, and
the original thirteen States forming but the
eastern margin on tho map Of our vast poss.
essions. Sec, besides, Christianity, civilxa
ton, and the arts given to continent; the des.
pissed colonies grown into power Of the first
class, representing and protecting ideas that
involve tho progress Of the human race; q
commerce greater than that Of any other na.
ton every variety Of climate, soil, and pro.
duction, to make people powerful and hap.
Py; free interchange between the States-in q
word, behold present greatness, and, la the
trcss Of tho world, in the height Of !,c,
6sSaSS SSu'N "Os W OVAAPSASVs 6uCIk IH OuI
cOuntry-ayc, and morO-iar r.Ure than INV
mind could conceive or my tongue could ut
ter. Is there an Ame. iCAn who regrets the
pastr Is there orc who will dcride bis coun,
try's laws, pcivert her constitution, or alien,
ate her people! II there be such man, lei
his memory descend 70 pesterIty laden with
/ the cxccrations Of all mankind.
So happy is the political and social condi.
tion Of the United States, and SO accustomed
are we to the secure enjoyment Of freedom
elsewhere unknown, that we are apt to under
valuc the treasures VIC possess, and to lose,
In some degree, the sense Of obligation to our
forelathers. But when the striIes of faction
shake the Government, and even threaten Il,
we may pause with advantage long enough "a
remember that We arc rCGping the reward Of
other mems lAbors. THIS liberty We inherit
this admirable constitution, which has survi
we'd peace and war, prosperity and adversiIy
this double scheme Of Government State and
federal. 20 peculiar and 20 little uAdsrSt0Od By
| Other, powers, yet which protects heOarnlngu
Of industry, and makes the largest personal
freedom compatible with public order. Thess
great results were not acquired without wis
dom and toll and blood. The touching and
heroic record is before the world; but 10 I'll
this we were born, and, like heirs upon when
has been cast great inheritance. have only
| the high duty % preserve. 20 exVend and Il