Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1861-03-05
CONGRESS-.
PARTING SPEECH OF MIR. BRECKENRIDGE


Twelve o'clock having arrived, the Vice Pfesi-
dent called the Senate TO order and said
SENATOR'S .-lu taking final leave Of this post
ton shall ask for few momeats IA winch TO
tender NV grateful Acknowledgements OF the reso-
tuition declaring your approval Of the manner IN
which have discharged my duties.
Aud to express the de'p sense OF erau'uue
feel for the uniform courtesy which, as fresliing
officer, have received from the members of this
boJv If | have committed any errors, your
generous totbearance has refused to rebuke
Them: aud during the whole period OF my service |
have never appealed in vain to your Justice or
charity, aud tue memory of these acts Will ever
he cherished among the most grateful recoHec'
tons Of my life ..--,,.
For my successor can express no better wish
than that he may enjoy these relations Of mutnai
conf lcnce which have so happily marked our III
tercourse Now, gentlemen Of tue Senate and
officers Of the Senate, from whom have received
SO many kind offices, accept my gratitude anu
cordial wishes for your prosperity aud welfare
SPEECH OF MIR. HAMLlN,
Mr.. llamIin stepped forward and said:-
SENAroRs The experience of several years
in this body has taught me something of the du e.
ties Of the presiding officer; aud with stern
and iuAexiblc purpose to discharge these duties
faithfully relying upon your courtesy and co-ope-
ration. Scnatus aud invoking MD from Divine
Providence. am now ready TO take the oath
required by the Constitution, and enter upon tue
discharge of the official duties assigned me by
the confidence Of a generous people.
THE OATH OF OFFICE.
Mr.. Hamlin then took the oath Of Office, as
folows;-
81, Hannibal Ilamlin, do solemnly swear t.
support the Constitution of the United States.
MIR. Brecbinriige Having arrived At thu
= hour for the termination Of this Congress, nov
l. declare this Senate adjourned without day
MIR, IIanln then took the Chair aud the pro
clamation for an extra session was read.
ADDRESS OF THE SPEAKER
Gentlemen of The House Of Representatives, w
= have now arrived nj the close Of the Thirty siXt
:, Congress. During lis progress scenes OF an eS
" traordiuary character have been Witnessed Sew
fal States have secedel and all their member,
g. with one exception, have LETT this Hall. \
10 lover of his country eau witness such an exh
bition without feelings of the deepest anXiet,
m As your presiding officer l have lot felt il II
a. duty to deyiate from the established practice, l
ai entering into discussion on the floor lniec
the demands upon the time Of the Chair u
ho sufficient, in its view without it, md it is wi
az that the Speaker should not De entahsleu III u
a.. conflict Of debate.
~ -, You will permit me, thtrcfoic, before partin
''' to say publicly what is well known to many
not all Of you-that have ever been and n
i, now, aud trust | ever shall remain, devoi
j; friend of the Union Of these States and libcr
no compr onises. The report of the Committee
80 Thrty-lhrce OF this House met my cordial a
~. proval, and have never hesitated to declare
al belief that Convention Of all the States to co
~ slider actual or supposed grievances, was
80 proper and most available remedy.
~ As II member of the Union, | declare my co
u.s. yietion that no tenable ground has been sign
'"' for u dissolution of the ties which bind eve
American citizen to his country, and imparti
history will so decide My conf lence in Il
he American people is such that | believe no j.
DE- complaint Gun long exist without redress
ity their hands. There is always remedy in
" Union. With this view, still declare my vi
lue ipguess to ioin in measures of compromise.
y wonld do 50 because Of the ancient ties Il
el, have bound US together under the institute
nn formed by our fathers, and under conslitut
mn signed by the immortal Washington would
re- so for the national honor committed to the {
ent pertinent of free institutions. would do so
the the love / bear to my 0ountrymen in oil parts
ed, our beloved land aud especially so for the 81
of that noble band OF patriots in the Bor
Southern States, who, in the midst Of great {
IS. position, have stood firm, like rocks in the DC,
the for pence and the perpetuity of the Union.
on gentlemen, | may not further dwell on III
the general subjects.
Dia, Far the discharge of the duties Of this stat
ieir to which was called by your kindness, eau o
say II has benny purpose to do all in my po
en- to promote your comfort us members to deal
partially with all, and TO advance the best
Pre- terests of the country So far as any succ
has attended my administration in the chnir
is to be ascribed very much TO the kindness
forbearauce of the members of the House.
claim for myself only the merit of good nett
and honest purposes The resolution you h
been pleased to adopt is truly gratifying,
trti1 10 my mast uUrppa HE rppollppfi0u
3 Of this place. thank You, gentlemen, for
mark Of your appreciation. could not fail
remark, that this resolution was presented
the oldest member Of the House, by whom
and sworn into Office, and one whose elevated cl
of acter Is acknowledged by us all. believe
former Speaker ever received more kindness
and the hands of the House than has fallen to
lot. Amid all the conflicts Of opinion ON q
the tons continually arising, you have never o
ruled any decision Lave made.
and do not infer from this that ] was ais
right, but do infer that if wrong, the liz
rum believed it was through misupprehcnsion
ties. not by design, and that it was your magnnn
ty which led you To sustain the Chnlr. luu
With permit me, hope to say here, that am III
great obligations TO the officers Of this II
Ter. for their assistance and attention to my com
return them all my very warmest thanks.
as now, gentlemen and friends, it only remains
As / take my leave of you, The parting hot
4. au honest hour. When first came among
SON declared myself u national man. ! an
still. trust shall ever so rtman.
n rne Often in my retired moments shall | thiG
you, and of the many scenes through whicl
@ OF have passed. My prayer to heaven for "
The that you may have that blessing which col
from from above, and that tho Great Ruler OF nat
vast in whose hands aie the destinies Of us all,
the sestore pence to our country, bring order o
Z all eonfusion, and union to The present disirf