Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-01-10
NR. sHEFFErs ADDRESS TO THE HOUSE OF
DELEGATES

The following is the address delivered by Mr. Hugh.
". sieaey Of Augusta, before the House of Delegates,
on Wednesday last upon his election as Speaker Of the
body: -:
Gentlemen Of the House Of Delegates For this re-
newed expression of your confidence | most cordially
thank you. If ] not touched By such manifesto
ton.of your good will (as have just received should
indeed have a heart Of stone. -.
Your voice to-day assures of your approval of my
past conduct "a your presiding officer My experience
OF your untaryng courtesy to myself, and my knowl-
edge Of your respect Tor order aud of your dgned de-
corum in the discharge of your legislative functions salts
fly that the duty you have assigned me will be easy to
perform
cannot forbear saying word of the distinguished
gentleman whom succeed in this Office In every
ton he has filed james l.. Kemper has won for himself
the respect and esteem of his opponents and the enthu
siastic devotion of his friends Vigorous in intellect
warm-hearted and generous in sentiment true to honor
aud loyal duty whether legislator eloquently plead
ing this floor the of justice aud patriotism,
A. presiding officer executing with ability and impartial
ty the trust of Speaker of this House, gallant
soldier and skilu leader fighting for home for country
and for liberty, lac is entitled TO the admiration and APP
plause he has received-and his friends with pra yerfn
trust that God will continue to throw his protecting
around him. feel justified in anticipating for him bril-
liant career of usefulness and honor ia the future
Since last adjournment God has continued smile
on our cause "Nerved by the uncomfortable will-the
courage to submit or yeld--ohr brave army, in
Virginia at least led by Ihe great captain OF aye
has again for itself the gratitude of the country
and the applause Of the world. You did well at your
asst session express your unanimous pprova. OF the
heroic acts of the of Virginia in this conflict for
freedom-of Ice, whosenfame, like The light of the
slowly ascending sun, gradually dispeling The clouds
that seemed to obscure its rising has shone brighter and
brighter unto its meridian splendor-of Johnston the
far-se.ing and spacious leader who cohbues the pru
dence OF Fabus with the ntrepdity Of Scipoof Jack
son. whose prayerbedewed banner ersy waves triuIn-
phant in the breeze aud after every battle bears on its
tattered folds the thrilling inscription God has given
Us qnatbsE gloEogs YctOryand last though not least
Of the UannIioged bpt hoFoic hosts Of officers aud pr
,,,o. who MA: LADDERS famous though themselves I'M
.mng New victories have since beeh T6a; new h9cors
haze since been achieved aud may proudly exut IN
the thought that the brow Of Virgins Will hereafter
b.ar Jewels recently set ia her dladem by the hand oil
Victory and among the brightest OIL tue iastrouS
group will shine the Of one whose fame Frgnians
will ever cherish With grateful sdmrstion-o James r.
B stuart the Saladin of the army whose flashing sce
tar cleaning in the faces OF the enemy, blinds them
with terror add lights the way to victory aud honor.
But. gentlemen although victory has thus smiled on
our cause and fame has enrolled new names Oh the
scrolls OF nBortelty, the conflict is not over-.he dlL
gers are not vet passed, II vii require wise aud cool
5rads strong and stendy arms and rm and united wis
to guide Us sey through the breakers ioanig AROUND
ma Let then no dscord disturb our counsels-et no
distrust of those who the pilots In the storm, IN.
nerve their energies distract their thoughts from the
great duties before them Virginia has thus far in tbs
war been not ess distinguished for her suferings and
sacrifices than for her unmurnurrning patience aut IN
questioning trust in those TO whom she has committed
the charge of her desnieS So let it be in the future
aud until this great danger pe oYaT psstI AM by her
noble example let her still the camors OF discGltspt,
any should arise, aud secure perfect harmony among
our glorious sisterhood OF States.
The ruthless lanaticsm of the Emancipation Procla-
tons Of President Incoln-the military pre-
variations of tue epsmyhis undated magnlty OF spirit
and obstinacy Of purpose, enshed by repeated defeats
and BY national despair IN yiSw Of Ice gym when staes
him in the face and his bitter assurance that virginia
holding the Capital of the Confederacy within her ho
som is the great stumbling block 10 the way Of crushing
out the rebellion until in creating the apprehension that
the most fearful crisis Of the war is yet before usa
crisis in which all the strength and energies oil the two
great contending powers will be strained TO the
and that Virginia must as heretofore Dear tue spocA VI
the terrific conflict.
But gentlemen, we arc sustained and cheered "
oon Which as the anchor of the soul both sure and
seadfasts Our growing brighter 10 our eyesand
dearer t6os hearts the more it y impenied-the ge
MUS and skill of our leaders rising higher and higher the
Greater the dangers thai threaten the citadel OF our b
srtiasthe courage and determination OF our soldiers
becoming sterfer anpore resolved the heaverth pres
sure On their coumpsthe prayers sEd tears OF mothers
and wives of sisters and children and OF aged me 70 thsf
threatened Eomss ascending 10 peaFeu V'e aHu IVY
peadiney and ferYenily the rage q the enemy in
ereases and what is far better the smile OF our teSoI
ing God gliding more and more bFg1tly Inc darkest
hs of our national trial conbiae to cheer "a With the
hope nay TO fire US with the unu,erabe faith that Our
copse ,b1 he ganed-hat the victory shaH be onrs!-
and that when the storm through which she s to pass
has sbsided, Virginia, dearls loved Virgins, shall
sland like the majestic oak Of the foresi after the hur
rcane has swept over it, stripped it be, Of its
leaves and With some OF IL; lcbl. branches scattered
around it but still with s tranE and strong limbs rising
proudly in the sunlight and roofs strng deep into
the rich sol beneath from. which shall be drawn rev
life TO repair the damgge VI the storm!
Geutsmen. not lightly or rreserenily, but soleraiy
and ferYently do invoke Gods blessing your iabors
and pray that by your Deliberations as fer they mag
conduce to those blessed ends, peace and happiness
truth ana justice religion and piety, may be established
among ais Tor all generations" s--..-..-