Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1866-03-05
Legislature.
SENATE

SENATE.
SATURDAY, March 8.
The Senate convened at 10 \. M.-Lieutenant-
Governor CowrER in the Chair. Prayer by the Rev.
DIR. Hoge.
House bill 272, concerning contracts payable IN
Confederate Treasury notes. reported from ane
Joint Committee of Conference, was passed aiter
much debate-ayes 10, noes o.
HEATING THE CAPITOL.
Mr. EEILo. by leave. introduced bill to provide
ratus, which was passed, under suspension of the
rules.
HOUSE BILLS PASSED.
House bill $50 amending and re.enacting section
43, of chapter liz, of the Code
House bill 2S5, relating to the Court of Appeals.
THE OYSTER TAX.
House bill SOL, imposing tax upon oysters was
taken up, and, after much discussion, was finally
passed-ayes 10, noes I.
HOUSE AMENDMENTS
70 Senate bill, increasing the capital stock of the
Richmond u Danylle Railroad Company, were
agreed TO.
RESOLUTIONS OF THANKS.
The Senate, by resolution, unanimously testified
to the digniied and courteous manner in which
Lieutenant Governor l.. {. L. COwPER has dis
charged his duties also, to the able and courteous
discharge of the duties Of SHELToNC DAVIS, Clerk,
aud to the other officers of the Senate.
recess was then taken until O'Clock.
The Senate re-asSembed at the hour of 8.
Mr. COLEMAN presented the following:
ReSOlred, That we express the unanimous senti-
ment of the Senate, when we hereby order it " be
entered on our records that Northumberland
COwPER has 50 demeaned himself i'll his eminent
position as presiding officer, rs to merit our judg
ment that he has discharged his duties ably, i'm
partially faithfully, and satisfactorily that no
dissent has been heard, or appeal taken from his
rulings, and that he is entitled TO, and is hereby
rendered, our cordial thanks.
The resolution unanimously adopted, after
an eloquent address by Mr.. GRAY.
Mr. COLEMAN presented to the Lieutenant Cover
nor the action of the Senate in few pertinent re-
marks.
resolution prevailing that! the Senate. adjourn,
Lieutenant. Governor CO|PER said:
SENAToRS-The hour has arrived which shall ter
inmate our official capacity in the present session of
the General Assembly of Virginia. Coming here as
did, Nirginian, loving Virginia supremely,
having bee Il taught by no ordinary mind and by no
ordinary prcccptS to love Virginia, | came here Il
stranger, nearly, personally 10 every member, whom
it was my duty to meet, to act with and to assist.
| came here impressed with the greatness of the
duties which Were upon us, and deeply anxious
to promote harmony aud union; ! came here,
as has been expressed cOquently by one Of your
members, (alludng 10 Mr. Gray, OF Rocking
haml representative of Government, but that
was a Virginia Government controlled by Virginia
heads and worSuppcd by Virginia hearts. We
came here not your OppOnents-l Will not en-
croach so far ON your feelings aS tn use the word,
your euemies-beCausc you were our lcllow-cti-
Zens children OF Virginia. proud OF the record Oi the
past and deplOring with us the dire events Of the
more recent past. had hoped To have been spared
any illusions To that dreadful epoch, sand ! hope
that in ali illusions to it we shall use it only
medium to rcunte the sentiment and mould into
one the hearts and affections OF the people. II do
aludc to it, hope that no unricndy differences will
be drawn. assure you that ut every step OF that
dreadful struggle, felt is Il Virginia cti-
zen. thought as u Virginia citizen, and,
while the deeds done in Chat memorable struggle
warmed my heart and kindled my admiration, |
never forgot that l. too, was Il son of Virginia; and
the restored Government came here with these views,
to meet YOU as citizens of Virginia to embrace you
in the embrace of citizenship ANA to weld you to-
gethcr for the benefit Of the common veal OF Us all,
and. if any misgivinEs went abroad, hope trust
believe that our association together has tended
to dispe any unIricndly differences.
What is to he our future! might say, Watch
man. what of the nghtm For our days are almost
darkened yet; but think | see glmpses of the
dawn rs | see i'm the burning east the glorious
promises of an unclOuded day. Keep the faith Of
your fathers Swervc not from the faith aud allie
niancc of Virginia and your destiny is glorious, Ii
Won can only MdlI-lUtltN lllt N"u
only wait 1t belongs 10 another, higher func-
tiOnary in the State than l. 10 be your pilot and 10
direct yonr deStinieS. invited you to confidence
in that dignitary, and you have manifested by your
acts that YOU have coutided in him. ! can say for
that man that his acts, however scrutnZcd, beSpeak
him Us worthy of that confidence. Few men would
have assumed the responsibilities Ol the Executive
OF Virginia under such circumstances; with preiu-
dircs perhaps well-foundcd opinions ubdurate, feel
ings of alienation all arrayed against him, he had
To cOnciliate, he had to conquer himself before he
could place himself in the proper position to meet
your confidence As II divided people you can but
iniure your State-as united, bright is the path be-
fore you.
| invited your support to another iunctionary,
higher and more important than the Governor OI
Virginia | asked YOU to have confidence in the add
mnistration of Andrew johnson, the Chief Magis-
trate of the naton-he type of your hopes, and the
emblem of the future salvation of his country. !
knew then what recent events have confirmed, and
now urge that he is worthy of your confidence and
support. Coming directly from the people, working
his way up froM his humble position to nOtoriety,
and from nooriety to greatness, and from greatness
to fame he has shown himself equal to the prospect
before him. Few men have been able to WIN their
enemies, but fewer men conquer themselves, ana !
may be allowed to say that Andrew johnson has
risen superior TO humanity ITSELF for he has taught
the nations of the earth that high and noble truth,
that the chief Executive Of this nation can forget
the injuries and wrongs of the private citizen. In
the Just and proper administration OF Andrew John.
son we find everything TO hope; in his irmness of
purpose everything TO expect. lie stands, to-day,
inviting your confidence, pledgng himself to sup
port the Union in one hand holding the Constitution,
and with the other waving the fanatics " be still
Such man and such an Administration can more
surely commend when you remember that IN the re-
cent struggle no attack was made, no complaint
was alleged against the Constitution oil the United
States, as | understand; it was in regard to the
proper execution of that instrument; and | believe
soemnly that of all the citizens Of the United States,
the people Of the Southern States are decidedly the
most thoroughly loyal to that Constitution. And
these are the sentiments of the Chief Magistrate OF
the nation-nay know it-~and they are the senti-
mentS of the hest part of his Cabinet who arc now,
to-day, standing supporting and encouraging The
Executive in the position he has taken,
Now grant Inc one word about myself, before We
part--belore | pronounce the words that will close
this present Assembly. In assuming the duties OF
the Chair, was conscious OF my ineNperlence and
invited, in advance, your kind indulgence aud
consideration. thank you; return you my heart
brm.full of thanks for the manner in which you
have supported me; have leaned upon your kind
ness; and if have performed the duties acceptably,
it is TO your kind indulgence and II remains Tor me
To announce to you the kindest feelings prevailing To-
wards You as Senators aud friends. 1t has been my
studied object to avoid suspicion Oi wrong Tor, nom
nv youth up would not do wrongly il | knew ii.
You have my best wishes for your health and pros
perty and trust that, when You return to your TO-
Spective homes you will find your families IN health
and happiness, aud that you may long ENJOY the
blessings and comforts that surround you there
And now, Senators. declare this Senate adjourned
to meet in this Hall Oh the fist Monday in De-
cenber next.
The Lieutenant. Governors remarks were fire.
quently interrupted by applause. and the stroke oi
his gave was the signal for general interchange
of friendly feelings and wishes for the safe and
speedy return of each other To their homes.
CThe reporter Of this paper desires publicly to cN-
press his acknowledgment of the obligations he
is under for the courteous and friendly assistance
afforded him by that most genial of gentlemen, the
Secretary of the Senate as well To the Senators
generality
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