Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1869-02-03
THE q. S SENATOR.
-Totnt Convention for the Election of
United states Senator-Speech of Hon
Matt, II. Carpenter, Senator Elect.
Fron the state journal

IN Joint convention at II O. clock on the
10Th, to complete the election of United
States Senator. The journals of the pro-
ceedings in Senate and Assembly were
read, and it appearing that Matt H.. Car
uenter had received a majority of votes in
in each branch Of the Legislature, he was
declared by Lieut.. Governor Spooner duly
elected Senator Of the State of Wisconsin
for six years from the fourth of March
next.
4 committee consisting of Senator
Chas @. Williams, Of Rock, and Assem-
blymen Bingham, Of Jefferson, and Ham
ilton, Of Fond du Lac, was appointed to
inform Mr.. Carpenter of his election and
request his appearance before the Joint
Convention. When he appered he was
warmly applauded, and delivered brief
and eloquent speech, substantially as
follows /;
Mr. President, and Gentlemen ofAe
Legislature:
lam profoundly sensible of, and CRATE
full for the honor you have conferred upon
me, by this election of the United States
Senate for six years. After the excite
nent and personalities of the canvass iast
passed, | feel nothing but the response
bilities and difficulties of the position to
which you have elected me and I shall
not hold that position one hour beyond
the continuing appreciation of those by
whom it has been conferred. (Applause.)
This Office, always one of immense re-
sponsibility, at tie present time, when,
with the smile of God, we have Just
emerged from civil war, which for four
years shook the foundations and menaced
the existence of the Government, involves
duties more arduous and difficult than
usual We have an immense public debt,
and there are a thousand questions grow
ing out of it, as yet but little discussed,
which present new ard untried fields of
craftsmanship. | have not the vanity to
suppose that can discharge my duties
at all times ". thout mistakes and blunders;
but whatever untiring industry and up
rightness Of purpose can accomplish. I
shall certainly perform for you IN the halls
of our national legislature applause
The tariff and the various questions
concerning our national finances will
probably engross the attention Of Con
gress for The next twenty years. Details
must be settled by the combined wisdom
Of the dominant party in Congress and
keeping certain leading ideas steadily in
view; always remembering that this great
people can better bear and survive any,
thing than national dishonor fgreat ap-
plause j trusting to the continuing favor
DIVINE Providence cultivating our vast
resources of agricultural and mineral
wealth with the enterprise and energy
OF young and free people, al soiU be rel.
The great idea upon which our govern
rnent was founded was the equality ofman;
his rights as man and because a man,
without distinctions Of birthplace, nation
atty, race, rank or color. There can be
no concrete, practical thing until it has
hrst been conceived in the mind Of God
or man. There can he no locomotive until
some mechanic has conceived the idea of
locomotive; there can be no work of
art, no statue Of grace and beauty until
the artist has fully conceived the beauty
he wish, 8 to represent. So with govern.
ment: 1t must first exist in the mind Of
the statesman, then be reduced to practice
Our government was the creation of
man, and partook of the infrmity, which
attends all mans work. The wonder now
IS, after eighty years of practical opera,
non, not that our constitution has defects,
but that It has answered the ends of its
creation as well as it has. The funda
mental error was the attempted comprom-
Use between right and wrong, justice and
injustice, liberty and slavery; as impossible
as compromise between fire and water.
1t was unavoidable that the two distinct
civilizations existing in the country
should produce. conflict and the result
was inevitable that the whole should be-
come slave or free Applause No pru-
dence or sagacity could have much longer
aVertcd the crisis, 1t came, and thank
God it has passed and we are now at
liberty to return to the first principles
upon which the government was founded,
and secure for all time the absolute
equality of all men. Applause.
This great idea kept steadily in view.
will lead US as the pole star guides the
mariner amid tempests and over danger
Gus seas, to the harbor of peace and pros
perity. If we now lose sight of this
however wisely financial questions may
be settled, no matter how many railroads
to the Pacific we may build, no matter
what material prosperity we may attain
if we fail to secure justice SO all men il
the land, then We neglect the opportunity
Heaven has offered US, we dishonor oul
name, outrage the God who has watched
SO kindly over US. and the blood Of oul
martyrs has been shed in vain. Pro
ionged applause.]
Mr. DaniaI PIT :11st aIactaa Sa1atnl