Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1859-10-21

lhe new i ork OOHTter makes the 10
lowing comments upon the withdrawal
the veterans from the U. s. Senate;
"The result of the recent Kentuck
elections settles that John j. Crittende
can not be re elected to the Senate. An
though his term happily does not expir
until 1861, that date must see his with
drawal from Senatorial life forever. Hi
retirement succeeds those of Bell an
Houston, which have already taken place
and will bear away the last of the old ele
ments of the body. There will be moth
ing left that, even in the way of courtes,
can be called veteran Statesmanship.-
Senator Pearce of Maryland, Simmons o
Rhode Island, Senator Cameron, of Penn
sylvania, and Senator Yuee of Florida
will be the only men in the Senate who
was there twelve years ago, and of those
only the first has remained continuously
since AT no time previous, during the
present century, has the Senate been SC
universally made up of comparatively fresh
material
The Senate seems to be fast losing the
durable quality that once distinguished it.
We have long ceased to look for this quail
ity in the House of Representatives. The
great bulk of that body, We now take it
as matter Of course, is to be made up OF
new and inexperienced men, Once a
maiden speech there was among the events
of the session now the daily doings of
the session consists of little else than
maiden speeches We know how i'll this
constant fux of elements has worked in
the House. 1t has contributed more than
anything else to reduce it to its present
unmanageableness and incfficieney Yet
a relief has been found in the stability of
the Senate. The public have been in the
habit cf looking to that experienced body
for its highest and broadest'views of pub
lie policy; and almost all of the great de-
bates which have shaped public opinion,
have taken place in that body.
Senators speeches are about the only
ones ever circulated over the length of our
land, and the only ones ever quoted in
Europe as indices of American policy
and craftsmanship. But the Senate must
lose this proud distinction, if it,
too, like the House, is to be subjected to
sweeping changes. True craftsmanship is
a thing of slow growth. Whatever native
genius may do at the start, long expert
ence is indispensable to its maturity
fhere is no such parsonage as the born
legislator. TO-
If we would have skilful and safe leg
Station, we must have men who by long
observation and dilligent practice have
become adapted in legislation; and in
view of the complicated character of all
great public questions, and the immense
interests depending on the right solution,
. whole life is hardly too long for the ac-
luirement of a wisdom equal to senatorial
True our American Sen
tie is representative body, and in that
'iew it is desirable that it sh ,uld frequent
y have fresh infusions Thus alone can
t be kept in due sympathy with the great
popular pulse without But there is no
langer that there will ever be any lack on
his score, American politics are too fuc-
uating to admit of it. The real danger
les on the other side. What is, to be |
cared is not that there will be nothing
lew gained, but that there will be moth |
ng old left---not that the Senate will lose
of the popular heart, but that
I will loose the breadth of comprehension |
md mastery of Judgment which best come
rom long and thorough training. We
ay then that it is misfortune to the
Senate itself, that. it is to be completely
animated of its older elements--that its |
lew leaders can only reckon single years
n public life where the old leaders used
o reckon lustrums. - 4, ~.
The three veteran Senator's have all
,een sacrificed for their devotion to the |
Id principle and policy which ruled the
government with such happy effect when
hey entered upon public life. They could
lot forget the old lessons; they could not
Issume new convictions, even to please
heir constituents. They have been true
o themselves, and true not only in motive
tut in actual fact, to the interests of the
country. The time, we are confident, will
oon come when their enlightened views
lpon the folly and danger of the new
anglod proslavery legislation, which be-
gan by breaking down the Missouri Com
promise, and has gone on from innovation,
sill be accepted by the very States which
nave prescribed them. Indeed, the late
election in Tennessee, where these matters
we're manfully met, indicates that the des
ined change has already set in. But,
whether these retired statesmen soon OBJ
ain at home the appreciation due them
IT not, the true men of the North can
never hesitate for moment to accord
hem their sincerest admiration. This
rbute is not paid simply, or even chiefly,
% their lofty sagacity and luminous pow
,r, but to the moral courage which they
displayed against the hests of Southern
lemagogues and in the very face Of polit-
cal destruction. II is the moral grand
eur they eyinced that peculiarly finds hon
or They were faithful among the faith
less, and the great patriotic mass of the
people have been quick to recognize it.
1t already cherishes an homage which but
the verdict Of history. m