The Feliciana Democrat., 1859-02-05
NO. 80.

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ill the measure Of bis great conception.
The Senate continued TO occupy the north wing.
aud the House Of Representatives the south wing OF
the Capitol until the 9th Of August. 1914 when the
British army entered the city and burned the public
buildines This occurred during tbs recess and the
i President immediately convened the Congress. Both
| Houses met III q brick bGilding known Bodgets
Hotel which occupied part Of the square now COW
cred by the General Post Office But the accommoda.
tions in that house being quite insufficient number
of public spirited citizens erected more coumo1ious
building on Capitol Hi. and rendered it to Congress:
the offer accepted and both Houses continued 10
occupy 1t until the wings Of the Capitol we're
completed. This building yet stands on the op.
posc to the northeastern corner OF the Capitol
square. ard has since been occasionally occupied by
persons employed In different branches Of the public
service
i On the 9Th Of December. 1912 the Senate Assem-.
bcd for the first time IN this chamber, which has been
the theatre Of their deliberations for than thirty
nine years.
4 ANA now The strirrs and uncertainties Of the past
are finished around every side the proofs
Hf stability aud improvement this Capitol is worthy
+ Of the Republic: noble public buildings meet the
view every hand treasures OF science and the arts
begin TO accumulate. a. this lpurshing city cnarges
it tcsteS tD the wisdom nui forecast that dictated
thn plan of H. Future generations will not De dis
turbrl with questions concerning the centre Of popu
lntion of territory since the steamboat the rail.
road and the telegraph have made communication
almost Instantaneous. The spot i sacred by thou
sand memories. which are many pledges that the
city Of Wa>hing gton, founded bv him and bearing his
rcvercd namc with it, beautiful site. bounded by pic
turc,qne eminenccs aud the broad Potomac, and ly-
ing within view of his home and his tomb, shall re-
main forever the political Capitol of the United States
II would be Interesting to note the gradual changes
which have occurred IN the practical working Of the
| government since the adoption Of the Constitution
and it may be appropriate TO this Occasion to remark
one of the most striking oi them. At the origin of
the government the senate seemed TO be regarded
chiefly ~ an executive council. The President often
visited the phanbpr and conferred nprsnnully with
this body. Most ofit- business was transacted with
closed doors aud it teo, comparatively little part in
The legislative debates
4 The rising and vigorous intellccts Of the country
sought the o tf House Of Representatives as
The appropriate theatre for the display Of their pow
crs Mr.. Mad son otFrved occasion that, be-
ing young nan. and desiring to increase his repu.
taon, h. could not afford to enter the Senate; and
il will be rom mbrred that, 50 late 1872, the great
debates which proceed 4 r warand aroused the coun-
try to the assertion Of it, rights took place in the
other branch of Congress TO such extent was the
idea of secl>un carried. that when this chamber was
completed. no seats were prepared for the accommo.
dation Of the public aud il was not until many years
afterwards that the soniciicuar gallery was erected
which admits The pn0pie to be witnesses OF your pro-
cpcd ngs But now. the Senate besides its peculiar
relations Ia th' cXccutir" department OF the govern.
mcHt. assumes its full share of duty rs co-equal
branch of 'ha Legislature; indeed. from the limited
nGGbrr Of its mcEbers. and for other obvious reasons,
the most important questions especially of foreign
policy. apt to pass uldcr discussion in this body.
and TO be a member Of il is justly regarded OF
c the highest hGaors which can he conferred an
American sal lesInan,
1t is scarcely necessary to point out the causes Of
this change. or TO say that it Is concession boh to
the Importance and individuality Of the States and to
the free and open character of the government.
: In connection with the easy In, thorough transit
ton it is worthy otrmark that it has been effected
: without charge from any quarter that the Senate
has trausceudcd its constitutional sphere tribute at
once TO the moderation Of the secatc, and another
rroef ofthonghtHl men ci the comprehensive wisdom
f with which the trainers Of the Constitution secured es
scntia principle. without inconyenienty embarrass.
ing the action Of the government.
: The progress Of this popular movement in one as
f pect Of IT, has been steady and marked. AT the
n gn of tbc government. arrangements in the SEN
n ate mad" Tor spectators; IN this chamber about
o one lrd of the space j. allotted TO the pnblc. and In
> the apartment The galleries cover twothrds
Y of its arena In all free countries the admission OF
the people 10 witness legislative proceedings is
scntal element of public confidence ard it is not to
# he nncipa Il that this wholesome principle will ever
be abused by the substitution Of partial and interested
: demonstrations for the expression Of matured and
r ellighcned puhle opinion Yet it should never be
forgotten that France. but the turbulent speca-
+, tors within the hall awed and controlled the French
Assembly Wlth this lesson aad its consequences be-
fore The time will never come when the delibera
tions of the nate shall be swayed by the blandish
. ment- or the the thind rs Of the galleries.
1t is impossible to dsconnoct from an occasion like
, this a crowd Of releetoas on our own past history
- - and of speculatons the future The most meagrc
" account OF the Senate involves Summary Of the pro-
4 grcss of our country From year to year you have
:, seen your representation enlarge: time and again
' you have proudly welcomed new sister into the Con
lcacFacy. and the occurrences Of this day mate
rial and impressive proof Of the growth and prosperity
II of the United States. Three periods in the history 0
the Senae mark in striking contrast three epochs il
y the history of the Union.
n On the 3i of March, 1888, when the government
was organized under the Constitution the Senate wa
composed Of the representatives OF eleven States con
V tanning three millions OF people.
: On the 9Th of December, 1919 when the Senate me
= for The first time in this room ii composed of tho
: representatives Of twcntyorc States, containg aine
y :" millions of people
= To-day. it is composed of the representatives o
~ hriytwo States, containing more than t"eniyeigh
millions Of people prosperous, happy and stll devo
u ed TO conslitu tonH liberty Let these great facts
c speak for themselves 10 all The world
ie The career Of the United States cannot be measured
by that of any other people Of whom history gives at
ne account: and the mind is almost appalled, at the con
re temptation of the prod gous force which has marked
ne their prorlss SiSynlnc years ago thirteen States
he containing three millions inhabitants burdeneI with
debt and exhausted by the long war of independence
y established for her good free constitution
on ON PRINCIPLES to mankind, and hogan their exper
IL men with the good wishes of few doubling friends
to and the derision OF The world. Look at the result to
on day twenty eight millions OF people in every wa,