The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1865-12-20

The Hon. S. Colfax on being elected
,aaler ct the House Of REPRESENTATIVES.

The Hon. ). C0ifaX on being elected
Sneaker CT the House Of Representatives
delivered the following address:
Gentlemen Of the House Of Representa-,
tives:-I'his reassembling Of Congress,
marking, as it doea, the possession of our
national history, is always regarded with
interest by the people for whom it is to
legislate. Bat it ID not unsafe to say that
millions more than ever before, North,
South, Fast and West, are looking to the
Congress which opens its first session to-
day with an earnestness and solicitude I'M
conaled on similar occasions in the past
The thirty-eight Congress closed its con-
stitutional existence with the storm cloud
of war still lowering over US. And, after
a nine months absence, Congress resumes
it's legislative authority in these Council
Halls, rejoicing that from shore to shore in
our land there is peace.
Its duties are as obvious as the suns
pathway in the heavens. Representing
in its two branches, the States and the poo
pie, its first and highest obligations is TO
guarantee to every State a republican form
of government. The rebellion having over
thrown constitutional State governments
in many States, it is yours to mature and
enact legislation which, with the concur
res.ee Of the Executive, shall establish
them anew, on such basis Of enduring
justice as will guarantee all necessary safe
guards to the people, and afford, what our
Magma Charta, the Declaration of Indepen-
dence, preelaims is the chef object of gov
ernment-rfotection to all men in thei
inalienable rights. The world should W.
ness, in this great work, the most inhe.i-
bic fidelity; the most earnest devotion to
the principles Of liberty and humanity; the
trpest patriotism and the wisest statesman
ship.
Heroic men by the hundreds ofthousands
have ditsl that the. republic might live.
The emblems of mourning have darkened
White House aud cabin alike. But the
fires of civil war have melted every fetter
10 the land, and proved the funeral pyre of
slavery. 1t is for you, representatives, to
do your work as faithfully and as well as
did the fearless saviors Of the Union on
their more dangerous arena Of duty.
Then We may hopeto see the vacant and
once abandoned seats around Us gradually
Filing up,untl this Hall shall contain re-
representatives. from every State and Dis
trct, their hearts devoted to the Union for
which they are to legislate, jealous Of its
honor, proud of its glory, watchful of its
rights, and hostile to its enemies. And
the stars on our banner that paled when
the States they represented arayed them
selves in arms against the nation, will shine
xitA . more brilliant light Of loyalty than
ever before.
: Invoking the guidance Of Him who holds
the destinies Of nations in the hollows Of
his hand. enter again upon the duties of
this trying position, with heart filled with
gratitude to you for the unusually flatter-
ing manner in which IN has been bestowed;
and cheered by the hope that it betokens
your cordial support apd assistance in all
its grave responsibilities.
am now ready to take the oath of Office
prescribed by law.