The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-03-06
THE LAST DAY or THE U. s. CONGRESS.

on Monday. The members assem- bieu III tue
morning, there being thety-two seats in the
House and fourteen in the Senate made va
cant by the secession of seven States since the
commencement of the session. In the House,
after some time spent in signing bills, mo-
tion was made to adjourn.
The Speaker rose, amidst marked silence
and delivered the following address:
GentlemeH of TIE House Of Ptpreaenfn fnfires
We have now arrived at the close of the Thir-
ty-sixth Congress During its progress scenes
OF an extraordinary character have been wit
messed. Several States have seeded and all
their members, with one exceptio I, have left
the hall. 10 lover of his country can wit
ness such an exhibition without feelings of
| the deepest anxiety. | have not felt it my
| duty to deViate from the established practice
| by en- ntering into discussion on the floor. In
| deed the demands upon the time of the Chair
are sufficient, in its view, without IL. And it
| Is wise. The Speaker should not be entangled
| in the conflicts or debate.
You Will permit me, therefore, before part
| ing, to say publicly what is well known to
many, II not all OF yon, that have ever been
| and am now, and trust ever shall remain Il
! devoted friend of the Union of these States
! and favorable to any just and liberal compyo-
| mise.
| The report Of the Committee of Thirty
! three, OF the House, met Wi tn my cordial al
! proval, and Lave never hesitatcd to declare
| my belief thata Convention Of all the States,
| 10 consider actual or supposed grievances,
| AS Il member of the Union l declare my
| conviction that no tenable ground has been
| assigned for dissolution of the ties which
| bind every American citizen to his country,
! and impartial history will so decide
| My confidence i'll the American people is
| such that believe no just complaint can long
| exist without Z redress ut their hands. There
! is always a remedy in the Union With this
view, still declare my willingness to Join in
measures OF com promise.
| | would do so because of the ancient ties
| that have bound us together under institu-
| uonS framed by our fathers and under Con
| stitution signed by the immortal Washington.
| ] would do 80 for the national honor commit
| ted To the experiment of free institutions. |
| would do 50 for The love bear my country
! men IL All parts Of our beloved land. aud IS
| p"claliy 20 for the sake of the noble btud of
/ patriots in the Border States, who, in the
| midst of great opposition, have stood firm
| like rocks III the ocean for the peace and per
/ petUity of the Union.
| Bat, gentlemen, l may not further dwell
/ on these general subjects. Fer the discharge
| OF the duties OF this station, to which | was
| called by your kindness. i can only say that
| ii has been my purpose to do all in my power
| to promote your comfort as members-to deal
| lmptrtially with all, and to advance the best
interests OF my country.
SO far as any success has attended my ad-
| miniStration in the chair, ii is TO be ascribed
| very much to the kindness an forbearance of
| the members OF the House. l claim for my
! self cniy the merit of good intentions and
| honest purposes.
| The resolution you have been pleased TO
! adopt l. truly gratifying, and Win be among
| nay most agreeable reooilecticns OF this place,
/ Jnank yOu, gentlemen, for this mark of your
appreciation. / could not1ail to re mark that
| this resolution was presented by The oldest
member OF the House, by whom was sworn
into office, and one whose devoted character
| is aclnOW edged by lis all
| believe that no former Speaker ever re-
| celved more kindness at the hands of this
| House, than has fallen to my lot. Amid all
| no nm ti1t of
! ally arising, you have never overruled any
| decision / have made. | do not infer from this
! that was always right; but do infer that
! if wrong, the House believed it was through
| mi apprehension and not by design, and that
| 1t was your magnaninity which led you 10
| sus tain the Chair.
| You will permit me, hope, TO say that
| am under grca obligations to the officers of the
| House for their assistance and Devotion 10 my
| comfort. l return them all my very warmest
/ thanks.
! And now, gentlemen and friends it only re-
mains that take my leave OF you. The part
| ing hour is an honest hour. When | first
| came among you, declared myself National
man. am 80 still, trust, ana shall ever so
/ remain.
Often. in retired moments shall think of
! you and the many scenes through which we
! have passed. My prayer TO Heaven for you
| is, that you may have that blessing which
| COmeth from above, and that the Great Ruler
of Nations in whose hands are the destnies
| OF us al, may restore peace TO our country,
| bring order out OF confusion, and union to its
| present dis stracted elements. Gentlemen, I
| bid you an atec tomato farewell.
During the delivery of his address, he was
| frequently applauded. He concluded by an
nouncing that the House was adjourned sine
| die.
| With much good humor, the members
! quickly separated
| in the Senate at IL o'clock, message was
! received from the House stating that having
| finished the business before il, it was ready to
| adjourn.
| At half past II o'clock a message from the
! House was received stating that having fin
! ished the business before them they were rea-
| dy TO adjourn.
! Mr. Clark slid it was a struggle of an over
! grCWn company, SO powerful that 1t could
| get Senators 10 come here and talk the bill
! down at the close OF the session.
| Twelve o'clock having arrived, the Vice
President called the Senate TO order, and said ::
| Senators-In taking my final leave of this
position, | shall ask Il few moments in which
! 10 tender my grateful aclinoW ledg ments for
the resolution declaring your approval of the
| manner i'll which have discharged its duties,
/ aud 20 express deep sense OF the uniform
| courtesy which, as presiding officer, l have
| received from the members OF this body. II
! have committed errors, your generous for
| bearanCe refused to ebuke them, and during
/ the whole period OF my services / have never
| appealed in Yifn To Your justice and charity.
| The memory Of these acts will be ever cher
/ ished among the most grateful TecOllectons of
my life. For my successor can express no
| better wish than that he may enjoy those
iations of mutual confidence which have so
| happily marked our intercourse.
Now, gentlemen of the Senate and officers
| of the Senate. from whom / have received so
many kind offices, accept my gratitude and
| cordial wishes for your prosperity and well
| fare.
! Mr.. Hamlin, the Vice President elect, then
| stepped forward and said:
| Senators-An experience of several years in
il .ix has tan -slF1lat "a thad
| ties of is presiding officer. And, with 81
| stern, intleXihle purpose to discharge these
! duties faithfully, relying upon the courtesy
| and cooperate OF Senators. and invoking
! the aid of Divine Providence, / am now ready
/ to take the oath req uired by the Cons titution
| and enter upon the discharge Of the ofiiciai
! duties assigned me Try the confidence of Il gem
| Vice President Hamlin then took the on In
OF office prescribed by the Constitution, as fol-
| lows
II, Hannibal Hamliu, do solemnly swear to
| support the Constitution of the United
| Mr. Breckenridge then said-Having arrived
| at the termination of this Congress, now
| declare the Senate adjourned without day.
Wee President Hamlln then took the CHAIR
| and the proclamation calling the extra session
! OF the Senate was read.
| RAILROAD MgErISG.-A meeting was held in
| CaswelI county, n c.. on the lst instant at
| which Col. Bedford Brown presided, and n.
| NJ Roam acted Secretary. The object of
| the meeting was briefly and lneidly explained
| W hich TO consider the important interests
1 of the county OF CaSWell III the cons truction
| OF a railroad from the company shops on the
! Central Railroad, via Ianceyville and Mil
1 ton, Barksdale's Depot. Col. Brown
| planned the great advantages of this road.
DIR. Thomas Mctiehee Smith, of Milton, was
| called ON, who entertained the meeting by a
| very admirable and practical speech, setting
| forth the great advantages OF this route over