The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-07-15

| Mr.. President-May be excused for arresting
Tor moment or two the ordinary business OF
the Senate BY few words personal to myself i,
| Having agreed to accept public trust abroad
committed to me by the president, with the sp-
/ proval of the Senate, 1 am about to resign my
seat In this body. Having been q member for
nearly six years, and contracted friendships
which have been constant source of pleasure,
| and which i shall ever value, | cannot retire
| without the deepest regret. During the period
| OF my service, civil war Of unexampled mag.
nlt1de was waged, threatening our national life,
and Its successful termination by arms. The con-
sequences Of the conflict have not wholly dsap-
peared. In both periods, questions of the great
est Importance, involving the powers of the gov.
eminent and the reserved rights Of the States
have been discussed In this chamber with a solicit
tude to uphold the government in all its rightfu
authority, and TO restore the entire country TO
its wonted prosperity. In these discussions I
have more or less participated, and, although
widely differing with majority Of the Senate
and supporting my opinions with earnestness, it
will always be great qualification to me TO re-
member that, at all times, by every member,
vast was treated with uniform courtesy, and need
hardly say, Mr.. President, that such courtesy |
never failed gladly to reciprocate.
In the new office Of public duty on which l am
about to enter may find subjects of controversy
that for q time las they have already done) may
more or less distract the friendly relations be.
tween the government of Great Britain and our
own. But that this disturbance will be TEN porary
do not doubt. The interests OF both nations are
understanding that the people of each cannot fail
to see the duly of having it observed, and be-
heve this can be accomplished by the manifesto
ton OF reciprocal good will, as our government is
actuated by such feeling. The complication of
the present time, am satisfied, will soon be re-
moved, and in whatever part, under instructions
OF the president, l may take in the regulations
preliminary to such result, shall be Influenced
by sincere wish to secure to both governments
an adjustment honorable to BOTH and | have
every reason to think | shall be met in the same
spirit by the government in all that may do.
shall look with hope to the approval of my as
soclates IN this body, and although may fail in
some respects to meet with it, cannot be mis-.
taken in thinking that they will do me the Justice
TO believe that have been governed throughout
by an earnest desire to maintain all the rights and
protect the interests Of our beloved country.
1t is not at all probable that l shall again be a
member of the Senate, and it Expresses me to
Think that may never, after leave the country
have the pleasure OF seeing again all its members
But beg you, Mr.. President and them, to be
assured that whatever distance may separate US,
l shall never cease gratefully to remember the
kindness evinced for me in this chamber, or to
hope for the happiness and prosperity of its mem
bers.
When return from my embassy trust and be-
lieve there will be an enduring peace between
ourselves and the other nations of the world, and
this am sure can be secured by firm and court
eous maintenance of our own rights and scrupu-
lous regard for the rights of others and, above
all, trust that all the troubles incident to our
recent domestic conflict will then have totally
disappeared, and we shall be in the uninterrupted
enjoyment of that unity of government which, in
the parting words Of Washington, lis the main
pillar in the edifce Of our real Independence; the
support Of our tranquility at home, of our peace
abroad; of our safety, of our prosperity. of that
very liberty which we so highly price, These
ends being accomplished, Imagination itself will
be at loss adequately 10 portray the future
greatness of our land.
And now, Mr.. President leave the body with
one more word, but word which, to friends, is
ever most painful TO utter-farewel.
The senators generally focked around Mr.. john
son to bid him farewell. BE was visibly affected