Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1867-03-07
AssrMBLINe of THE xLth CONGRESS-.
Schuyler Colfsx Reelected Speaker, ana
Edward Mcpherson Clerk.

ASSEMBLING OF THE xLth CONGRESS.
Schuyler CoIfsx Reelected Speaker, ana
Edward Mcpherson Clerk.
The XLth Congress assembled at noon
on Monday. Mr.. Wade, Prest. pro tenn,
called the Senate to order. Thenew. Sena-
tors were sworn in, among them Gen.
John M. Thayer and Thomas w. Upton,
of Nebraska. Gen. Thayer drew the
long term, expiring in 1871, MIR. Upton
the short, expiring in 1860.
In the House, Mr.. Mcpherson clerk of
the House of the XXXIXth Congress,
called the roll. Mr.. Wilson, of Iowa,
moved to proceed to the election of
Speaker. Mr.. Brooks, of New York, pre-
sented q protest against it from the mi
nority, alleging that such proceeding, in
the absence ofseventeen States [orignal!]
was revolutionary. The protest was not
received. ., .... .....
Mr.. Colfax was reelected Speaker
without opposition, and on taking the
chair, spoke as follows:
Gentlemen Elected for the third time
| to this responsible and trying position,
| l appreciate more than ever before the
Importance of the trust, and realize more
than when first entering on its efficient
duty the absolute necessity of your con-
| fidence and support; nor do 1 overrate
| the gravity of our position rs Americans
and legislators. The years have never
| dropped their sands on moral issue as
vast and grand as ours to-day; q nation
| decimated by a conflict of fraternal
strife; q land desolated by the destructive
fruits of prolonged wars ripened into
harvest of hearts, dead with the bullet.
AS hearts heavy with bereavement and
broken with anguish, looking from the
North and South alike, and by that
light should we walk. 1t is to guide our
steps by the justice of God and the rights
of men. 1t Is to Danish all malice and
revenge, and to justify our faith by our
works. 1t is to anchor our legislation
on what the Commoner of England,
John Bright, declares to be the simple but
sublime principle on which great nation
al questions should be settled, the basis
of eternal rights. 1t Is to write ON ouI
banner those words that will shine
brighter than the stars which gem the
firmament-"Liberty loyalty and law
1t Is to make history 80 that pOsterity
, shall rise up and call us blessed. Tht
Congress that has just passed away ha,
written record that will be long re-
membered by the poor and friendles
, whom it did not forget. Misrepresentet
or misunderstood by those who denOun
ced as enemies, harshly and unjustifi
able, criticised by some who should hav
!, been its friends, it proved itself to b.
/, more faithful to human progress an,
q liberty than any of Its predecessors. Th
!. outraged and oppressed found in thes
halls champions and friends. Itskey not
s Of policy was protection to the down trod
: den. 1t failed not before the mightiest
nor neglected not the Obscurest. 1t lifte
the slave whom the nation had freed b
the full stature of manhood. 1t place.
on our statute books the civil rights bill
as our national magma charta, grande
than all the enactments that honor tn
: American Code, and in all the regiol
where civil government had been des
@ troyed by vanquished rebellion, it de
o clared as guarantee of defense to tn
Z, weakest, that freemans hands shOul,
!. WELD n freeman's ballot. 1t proclame,
!, that there could be no safe or loyal re
e construction on foundation of unre
e pentant treason and disloyalty. Fortu
= nate it will be for us II, when we surren
g der these seats to our successors, we en-
j point to record which will show on ou
ID histories a page like that of the Congress
Whith Juoo CApiICu. WV
L II when we leave this Capitol our Who'll
3, national structure shall be permanent
3. restored, resting on the sure foundatio
d stones of loyalty, unity, liberty, and righ
t- With such convictions Of duty l come I
VI this chair to administer your rules, bu
If not as a partisan. Iappeal to you for tina
g generous support by which alone pres
% ding officer can be sustained, pledgin
o you I'm return an inflcXible impartiality
% which shall be proven by my deeds; an
o invoking on your deliberations the fave
). Of Him who holds the destinies {
nations In the palm Of His hand.
o / am now ready to take the oath of o
l. flee prescribed by law.
II The Speaker announced that the Pres
d dent had signed the bill in reference
10 wool and woolens, also the army appr
(, priatlon bill with protest.
al The Presidents message on the san
n. subject was read and laid on the table
id The committee appointed TO wait upo
H. the President, reported that he had l
10 communication to make at this time.
~ 1t is thought that Congress will rema
In session about two weeks, and the
vi take recess of two months, to await 81
IT., action Of the Southern States.
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