Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1869-03-10
VICE PRESIDENT COLFAX.
His Address TO the House of II eprssen.
tatiye> on ReIirin. from the speak
ership.--His Remarks upon assume
ing the Duties OF Vice President.

Schuyler Colfax resigned the Office of
Speaker of the House Of Representatives
on the morning of the Sd, and Theodore
NJ Pomercy. Of New York, was elected
Speaker for the remainder OF the term.
The following are Speaker Colfax's re-
marks on resigning:
GENTLEMEN: The opening Of the
legislative day, at the close of which
must enter upon another sphere of duty,
requires me TO tender u YOU this resi.-
nation OF the Office which, by YOUR kinds
ness and confidence have held to take
effect on the election Of a Speaker for
the brief remainder of this session. The
parting word amongst friends about to
separate Is always regretful one but
the farewell which takes me from the
/ hall in which 50 many years have been
spent, excites in me emotions which it
would be useless 20 attempt 10 conceal
| The fourteen years during which | have
been associated with the Representatives
of the people here have been full of event.
ful legislation, Of exciting issues, and of
grave decisions, vitality affecting the en-
tire Republic. All, these, with the ac-
companying scenes which are so often
reproduced in the arena of debate, the
warmth of feeling OF our antagonizing
constituencies, have passed into the do
main Of history, and | but refer to them
to express the JOY which apparently is
shared by the mass of cur couutrvmen,
that the storm cloud of war which has so
long darkencd our national horizon has
| ut last passed away, leaving our imperiled
| Union saved, and that by the decree of
our people, more powerful than Presi-
dents, Congresses or armies, liberty was
/ proclaimed throughout che land to all the
/ inhabitants thereof But cannot leave
| you without one word of rejoicing over
/ the present condition OF our Republic
amongst the nations of the earth With
our military power and almost illimitable
| resources, exempli6ed by the war that
/ developed them; with our rapidly aug
menting population, and the welcome at
/ our gates of the oppressed of all other
/ climes; with our vast and increasing az
| rleultural, mechanical, manufacturing
/ and mining capacities; with our vantage
/ on the two great oceans of the globe. and
/ our almost completed Pacific Railroad,
/ uniting these opposite shores and becom-
+ ing the great highway, the United States
4 of America commands that respect among
/ the powers Of the world which insures
/ the maintenance of all its citizens from
oppression or injustice abroad Nor IS
this all The triumphal progress of free
institutions here has had It's potential in
tiuanes beyond the sea. The right of
/ the people to govern, based on the sacred
/ principle of our revolution, that all gov
ernments derive their just powers from
| the consent of the governed, is every
| where advancing: not with slow and
| measured steps, but with a rapidity that
within few years has been so signaIly
/ Illustrated in Great Britain, Spain, Italy,
| Prussia, Hungary, and other lands
May we not hope that by the moral, but
powerful influence of our example. fet-
/ ters-may everywhere be broken, and some
! Of Us may live 10 see that happy era when
| slavery and tyranny shall be no more
| known throughout the world-from the
rivers TO the ends of the earth p
Il capnot claim that, in the share |
/ have had in the deliberation ami legisla-
/ ton of this House, as a member and as
+ an officer, | have always done what was
wisest in action Or word, fer none of US
4 are iutal!ibe; but have striven te per~
/ form faithfully every duty that deyolved
upon me. That the honor and glory of
/ our country have always been paramount
/ above mere party ties, | can couscien-
/ ciously assert; and that | have sought to
mitigate rather than TO intensity the as
perities which the collisions of opposing
parties so often evoked, must be left to
my icl ow members &c verify In the re
+ sponsible duties OF the last six years, l
/ have endeayOred TO administer the rules
/ you have enacted for your guidance both
+ IN letter and spirit. with partially uu-
7 influenced by political antagouisms, and
/ may be pardoned for the expression of
qualification that while no decision has
/ been rcvsrsed-there have been appeals
+ sometimes taken. as they are by minor
4 ity as "a protest against the power, under
the rules, of a maiority-it has never
+ been decided by a strictly party vote If
/ in the quickness with which a presiding
/ officer here Is compelled to rule, hour af-
/ ter hour, on parliamentary points, and in
| the performance OF his duty to protect
all members IN their rights, TO advance
+ the progress Of business and TO preserve
I order, any word has fallen from my lips
! that has uniuStlY wounded any one, | de-
/ sire 10 withdraw it unreservadlv | leave
/ this room with no feeling of unkindnesS
toward any member with whom | have
/ been associated IN all the years of the
I past, having earnestly tried to practice
{ that rune OF are N1ICA commands Us 10
write our enmities in sand, but to engraye
cur friendships on granite
" Bot the last word cannot longer be
/ delayed bid farewell to the faithful,
conddiu- constituency whose aifectionate
regard sustained ard encompaSsed me
through ali the years OF my public life
farewell to tae hall which. In its excite
lnents and restless activities. so often
seemed TO represent the throbbings and
( intense feelings of the national heart;
and finally fellow members and friends.
with sincere gratitude for the generous
/ support you have always given me in the
difficult and complex duties Of the char
and with the warmest wishes for your
health, happiness and prosperity, one
and all, hid you farewell
After the retirement of Mr. Colfax
from tie chair. the House unanimously
passed the following resolution:
EsaasE. That t6e retirement of the Hon
+ orahle Schuyler Caltax from the Speakers
+ chair. g long and faithful discharge Of his
. which would cause general regret were It
not shat she country is 70 have the benefit
Of his Ina-urgd talents and experience in
the higher sphere Of duty 20 which he has
been called by majority of his country
+ men in parting from cur distinguished
Speaker the House records with becoming
sens5af1ity It's high appreciation Of his skin
. IA parliamentary law; of his pramDtuCSS