The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1864-03-12
THE LEGISLATURES.

The session of the Legislature ciosed
Thursday night about IL o'clock After the
close of our last report they passed al act to
prohibit the issue of any ordinary license
within any city OF town, or Within five miles
thereof or at sny railroad station or depot
in Virginia. Passed both Houses. There
were TO other bills OF general importance
adopted, aud after the usual valediotory
addresses In both Houses, they adjourned
about IL NJ.
In the Ronss, Speaker Shetfey delivered
short valedictory, contrasting the brighten.
ed prospects Of the Confederacy with the
gloomy picture presented at the opening
of the session. The following Is the con
clusiou of his address
Gentlemen, before an Assembly Of Virginia gen.
t,,.ren vii, be pardoned for saying word of one
of those men Of history whom the present rarely
eomprehends. One who ls daily making or ma ID
ing avents which shall never Gle. refer to the
President of tho Confederate States We know
him now better than we did. He came Into our
midst personally stranger to- US. He was said to
he one who, stern, resolved and seiireiiant, shua
ned counsel and though true and honest In intent,
was pertaps, preiudiced and obstinate. lie fOiled
steadily on In the duties of his high Office and into
the shadows which surrounded him the popnlet eye
could not penetrate SUCCESS, tne tett Vi auiiiis
uatva ability, sometimes rewarded his tolls dis
aster tue objectionable sin OF sta:esmanship oi.en
cOn(ounded his councils, and brought the county
10 the verge of doubt and despair. confess gen.
tlemeu, the profOundest sympathy with shstoric
man In his hidden tolls and and heavy res on
sis;iiiss lalI0ring thus right and day Tor his
couptry's good And when an occasional lifting of
the curtain has enabled US IN perceive "the very
Pulse of the machine''-the heart, ana viii, and
mind and p,i, pose-which animate the man. traits
Of noble patriotism and heroic frmness, OF lofty
trubfu!ness and chivairy, and os unsu.ied purity
and trust IN God, have given Joy 70 the popular
heart and confidence 10 the mind OF tue country.
Gentiemen I thank cod that Virginia with the
tine cou,tesy of her ancient hospitality. has never
uttered one word To bring cloud over MS brow,
or added one feathers weight 10 tue burden OF MS
cares, Our people tIust In him; our women revere
and honor him; our armies ss.tyWne!e wnaio a.s
posterity will exalt him u the tue position ne 10
destined TO fl as of the great men OF this age
We have hope gentlemen in our puniic meh,
In our public measures In eur army. anu IN oa'
in such men as our President and the iead-
= of ouy eailan. armies. had intended gentie-
men. 10 have spoken Of the measures adopted ny
Congress aud yourselves for The Duhlic gcod, oat
at ts late hour, and weatied as we All are oy pro-
tr.c,ed jabors Il must f0tbear.
Ana roW gentlemen In this solemn parting hour,
In, future Ii wrapped In doubt, Our 70 unton un-
certain, our paths dver9ing from this common
noinl OF concentrated feeling and kindly emotion,
enr ortr ess and defence and, bidding each OF you
kindly and ffatcrnai farewell, invoke Heavrn's
hesl blessings on you and yours. pronounce this
House adjourned nne dse.
fThe reporter returns his thanks to Mr.:
Shelton C. Davis, Clerk Of the Senate, ana
his assistant, DR.. J. d. Pendleton, aud to
MT. VIM. r. Gordon, Clerk Of the House, tor
many facilities courtsously extended him
during the session.l