Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-03-06

For my successor can express no better Wish tina,
that he may enjoy these relations OF mutual conhdes
| which have so happily marked our Intercourse
Now, gentlemen of the Senate and Of GER, of the e.
| ate, from whom rave received many kind ofies.
accept my gratitude and cordial wishes for your oro
perIty and welfare.
Mr.. HamIn, the Vice President eIea then stepu.d
| forward and said
Senators AN experience Of several years In this bodv
has taught something Of the duties Of liz presdio
officer; and with stern nfeIibe purpose TO dsch.rge
these duties faithfully relying upon the courtesy and CO.
operation Of Senator'S and Invoking the aid Of DIVINE
Providence am ready to take the oath required Inv
the constitution and enter upon the discharge OF the az
&c al duties assigned me by the confidence OF generoq,
people.
Vice President Hsmln then took the oath of Office Ore.
scribed BY the constitution rs follows:
81 Hannibal Hamln, do solemny swear To support the
Constitution of the United States"
Mr.. Breckenridge then said having now arrived a,
the termination OF this Congress- declare the Sen
ate adjourned without day.
Yice-President Hamlin then took the chair and the
proclamation calling the extra session Of the Senate was
read
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
The House re-assembled at ten O'clock this morninv
and the galleries entirely empty, 10 person being
admitted except the reporters.
The spectators formally excluded by order of the
committee OF arrangements.
After the trans letiou of much miscellaneous busines,
of particular importance, with the usual accom-
plnments reports of the various committees OF confer
ence were made ard acted upon.
Mr. Sherman, from the select committee appointed Ia
wait on the President sad they bad performed that duty
and the President had Informed them that he had sun
milted his last official communication TO the House.
motion made to adjourn.
The Speaker amidst silence and delivered the fol-
lowing address:
Gentlemen of the House OF Representatives Weh,ye
now arrived the close Of the thirty sixth Congress
During its passage Of extraordinary character
have been witnessed Several States seeded and
all their memb~rs, with exception, have lefl th.
Hall No lover of his country witness such an elhi
bition without feelings of the deepest anxiety.
have not felt it my duty to deys.e from the ettb-
lshed practice by entering into discussion on the floor
Indeed the demands upon the time Of the chair are su
cient in its view without it. And il is wise, the Speaker
should not be entangled in the conflicts Of debate.
You will permit me, therefore, before parting to say
publicly what is well known TO many II not all Of you
that have been, and now, and, trust, shall
remain devoted friend of the Union Of these States
and favorable to any just and liberal compromise.
The report of the committee Of tEiry-three OF this
House met with my cordial approval, and have never
he4tated to declare my belief that Convention OF all the
States to consider actual supposed grievances was
the proper and most available remedy.
As a member OF the Union, declare my conviction
tina. no tenable ground has been assigned for dsou
ton ofhe ties which bind every American citizen TO biz
country, aud impartial history will so decide.
Nv confidence in the Am 1rcan people Is such that
believe jus. complaint long exist without redress
at their hald There is always remedy in the Union.
With this view still declare my willingness 10 Join in
measures OF compromise.
would do so because Of the ancient ties that have
bound us together under Institutions framed by IA
TIERS and uader Constitution signed by the immortal
Washington. | would do so for the national honor
mitted to the experiment Of free institutions would DO
so for the love bear my cOunymen in I'll parts Of our
beloved land aud especially for the noble band Of pat
ots in the border States Who in the mids: Of great oppo
son have stood irm like rocks in the ocean for the
peace and perpetuity of the Union.
But gentlemen may not further dwell on these cub
ects For the discharge Of the duties Of this station TO
which called by your kindness, can only say that
has been my purpose do all in my power TO promote
your comfort members, TO deal impartislly with ALL
aud 20 advance the best interests of my country.
So Ear as any success has attended my administration
in the chair il is TO be ascr5ed very much 10 the kind
ness and forbeararce of the members Of the House
claim for myself only the merit Of good intentions and
honest purposes.
The resolution you have been pleased adopt truly
gratifying ard will he among my most agreeable reco
lections Of this place thank you gentlemen for this
mark OF your appreciation could not iGii 10 remark
that this resolution presented by the Oldest member
of the House. by whom was sworn into Office and one
whose devoted character is Acknowledged by US all
believe that former Speaker ever received more
kindness the hands Of Il is house than has fallen to
NY lot Am d,t al tie conflicts of opinion on quesioas
continually arising, you have never overrued any dec
sion have made.
do not infer from this that was always right but
do infer that If wrong, the House believed il through
misapprehens ion ard not by dsgn and that onr
msgnanimty which led you 10 sustain the chair.
You will permit me, | hope, TO say that am u der
great olIgltiors TO the officers OF the House for their
assistance aud devotion to my comfort. return them
all my very warmest thanks.
And now gentlemen and friends il only remains sAat
take my leave of you. When FIRST came among you
declared myself a national ana STILL trust,
and shall 20 remain.
OF Ell, il retired moments, shall think OF you ard
the many scenes through which have passed Ny
prayer heaven for you is that you may have thai bless
ing which oometh from above, and that the great Ruler
OF naiions in whose hands the desnies OF all,
may restore peace to our country bring order out Of
confusion and union to the present distracted elements
Gentlemen-I bid you an aitectonate farewell
During the delivery OF bis address he frequently
applauded lie concluded by announcing that the House
wss adjourned sine de-
With much good humor the members quickly sepa-
rated
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