Maysville weekly bulletin. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1864-1866, 1864-05-06
THE OATH OF OFFICE.
SPEECH OF
SENATOR BAYARD, OF DELAWARE,

Ia the United States Senate, Jan. 26, 1864.
Senator BAYARD after taking the oath o.
of Office, prescribed by the act of July 2nd
1862, asked the unanimous consent of the
Senate to make some remarks personal to
himself, which being granted, he proceeded
to speak as follows: --..
Mr. PRESIDENT: 10 the course of the d
bate upon the rule adopted yesterday by
the Senate. stated tnat the body having
exclusive jurisdiction over tho subject, |
should hold myself bound by its action and
that but one alternative remained il the rule
was adopted: either 10 comply with the de
csion or relinquish my seat in the
Senate. Subseq leut reflection has con-
vinced me was partially in error. Ano:h er
course is open: to submit to the decision
and resign. sas
The gravest consideration has induced
me to pursue this last course; and. in brief
period my connection withtbi body, which
has lasted nearly thirteen years, viii; cease.
desire to assign the reasons which con-
troll my action. Without any decision upon
the constitutional validity of the act of j uly.
1862, all the members of the Senate and
House to whom it applied belon zing to the
political party with which / have acted
by that acG, deeming. doubtless, tnat thu
constitutional questions involved were of
less moment aud the precedent made less
dangerous than they seemed to my mind =
| could not but reflect that this unanim Gus
action of thosa with whom | coincide in
general political views might give cause
even to men unbiased by the perVerting To-
fuences of political or personal hostility,
who did not know me personally, to doubt
if not TO believs, that declined totake the
oath for reasons other than the c6nsdera-
ton that in my judgm ent, it was danger
oLs innovation upon fuDdame eutaI principles
of the Constitution.
As believed that the law had been pass
cd without full discussion. and as deci-
sion on it's validity by the proper tribunal
had been waived at the special session when
I was not present, | was content to leave
others to their own actien, and govern mine
by nv conviction Of duty The decision.
has now, however, been judicially made.
alter hearing my objections to the act and
the oath 1t imposes, and that decision.
though 10 my belief dangerous precedent.
is obligatory to the extent OF taking the
oath, as I have already held the seat for
nearly one year ssnce my re-election.
Sir, admit that covet the appreciation
oil the gooc, the wise ana tne reusct'nS, anu
would not willingly suhject myself TO their
censure or reasonable suspicion as TO my
motives Of action; though am utterly in
different to those calnm hious. groundleFs
and vindiclive attacks to which every man
in public life, even in less excited times. Is
subjected by personal malevplence or polit
ioarl hostility. But though desire such
sppobation. have never made either opin-
ion or popularity my stand ard OF action. but
my own sense of right and duty; and owe
a respect to my own sincere convictions of
public duty which / will never sacrifice
Many of you are aware that before civil war
commenced. expressed fully my views as
to the course of action which tbonght the
welfare and prosperity of the whole coup-
try required after the secession Of seven
States. Those views differed from the
course pursued subsequently, by the Adj