The Hawaiian gazette., 1869-04-21
Mn. ColrAx. on reslgulpg the spcakershIp

MR. CoLrAx, on rcsigping the spcakershlp
of the Representatives, addressed the House
as follows:
The PARTING word amongst friends about
Z TO separate is always a regretful one, bat the
I farewell which takes me from this Hall, In
which SO many years have been spent, ex.
I cites In me emotions which u would be use
less TO attempt TO conceal. The fourteen
years during which I have been associated
/ with the Representatives of the people here,
have been full OF eventfal legislation and
exciting issues; Of grave questlves and de-
/ cisions vitality affecting the entire Republic.
I All this. with the accompanying scenes which
/ so often produced In this arena Of debate the
warmth Of feeling Of our antagoniEing con-
l stituents, have passed into the domain of
history but refer to them TO express the
I joy which Is apparently shared BY the mass
Of our countrymen, that the storm-cloud of
war which SO long darkened our national
welfare has passed away, leaving our imper-
! lied Union saved. and that by decree Of the
people, liberty was proclaimed throughout
the land TO all the inhabitants thereof
But can not leave you without one word
Of rejoicing over the present position OF our
Republic amongst the nations Of the earth.
With our military power, almost unlimited
resources, a rapidly .augmeuting population,
and the welcome at our gates 20 the OPP
HFNc>CN VI OtuCl tdlluc 0af VAST
mechanical, manufacturing and mineral ca
pacities; our frontage on two great oceans;
our almost completed Pacific Railroad, unit
ing those opposite shores, and becoming the
highway of nations-the United States COM
mand that respect among the powers OF the
world which iusures the maintenance OF all
Its national rights and the security of all Its
citizens from injustice and oppression abroad.
Nor is this all. The triumphant progress
nf fraa it,SfitufiOns herr, has had ifs pofentia1
influence beyond the sea. The right of the
people 10 govern, based on the principle that
all governments derive their just powers
from the consent OF the governed, is every
where advancing. not with slow and meas
ured tread, but with rapidity that, within
= few years, has been so signslly illustrated
In Great Britain, Spain. Italy. Prussia, Hun
gary, and other lands. May We not all hope
that, by the moral but powerful force Of our
example, the fetiers may everywhere be
broken, and some of US live to see the happy
era when tyranny and slavery shall be no
more known in the world from the rivers to
the ends of the earth.
l can not claim that In the share l have
had in the deliberations and legislation Of
this House, as a member and officer, that
have always done that which wac the visest
and best in word and act, for none Is infalli-
BILE; but that have striven to perform faith
fully every duty, and been devoted to the
principles | have deemed correct, and that
the honor and glory of our country have
always been paramount and above arty ties,
/ can conscientiously assert. That | have
sought TO mitigate rather than intensity the
asperities which the collisions of opposing
parties so often evoke, mnst be left to my
fellow members 10 verify. In the responsible
duties OF the past six years, have eudeav-
ored TO administer your laws, both in letter
and spirit with impartiality, uninhueneed BY
political associations or aniagonisms. / may
be pardoned the expression of qualification
thai while no decision of mine has been re-
versed. there has been no appeal ever decided
by strict party vote. II, In the quickness
with which the presiding officer is often com
PEELED TO rule, hour after hour. on parlia-
meniary points, and in the performance Of
his duty TO protect all members 10 their rights,
and advance the progress Of public business
by preserving order, any word has fallen
from my lips that justly wounded any one, /
withdraw IL unreservedly.
leave this Hall with no feelings OF un-
kindness towards any member with whom
have been associated In all the years OF the
past. hoping earnestly that | have tried to
practice thailesson Of life which commands rs
to write our enmities on sand, but engraye
our friendships on granite.
The last word can not longer be delayed.
] bid farewell to a faithful, eonfding con-
eItucuNls NuoeS aucSAOhdtc IcSaiu uaS
sustained and encompassed me through all
the years Of my public life. Farewell, this
Hall, which. IN its excitement and restless
activity, SO often seems to represent the
throbbings and intense feelings of the na-
tionsl heart; and finally, fellow members
and friends, with sincere gratitude for the
generous support you have always given me
in the difficult and often complex duties Of
this chair; with the warmest wishes for your
health, Happiness and prosperity-One and
ALL bid you farewell lGreat applause.l