Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1869-03-12
SPEAKER COLFAx,s vALEDfCTORY

In rosigning the Office of Speaker of the
House of Representatives on the 81, Mr.,
Colfax spoke as follows:
Gentlemen; The opening of the legis
lative day, at the close of which | must
enter upon another sphere of duty, re-
Quires me to tender to you this resignation
of the office which, by your kindness and
confidence, have held, TO take effect on
the election of q Speaker for the brief re-
mainder of this session. The parting
word among friends about to separate is
always regretful one, but the farewell
which takes me from this Hall, in which
so many years have been spent, excites in
me emotions which II would be useless to
attempt to conceal. The fourteen years,
during which have been associated with
the representatives of the people here,
have been full of eventful legislation, Of
exciting issues, and of grave decisions,
vitality affecting the entire Republic. All
these with the accompanying scenes, which
so often reproduced in this 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 masses of our countrymen,
that the storm.C cloud of war which has so
long darkened our national horizon has at
last passed away, leaving our imperiled
Union saved, and that by the decree OF
our people, more powerful than Presidents,
Congress or armies, liberty was pro-
claimed throughout the land 10 all the in
habitants thereof But cannot leave you
without one word of rejoicing over the
present condition of our Republic among
the nations of the earth. WIKI our mill
tary power and almost illimitable re-
sources, exemplihed by the war that de-
velopod them, with our rapidly aug
menting population, and the welcome at
our gates of the oppressed Of all other
! Climes; with cur vast and 1ncreas-
ing agricultural, mechanical, manu-
featuring and mining capacities; with
our vantage on the two great
oceans of the globe, and our almost COM
pleted Pacific Railroad uniting these op-
posito shores, and becoming the great high.
way, the United States of America com.
mands that respect among the powers OF
the world, which insures the maintenance
of all its citizens from oppression or in
| Justice abroad. Nor is this ALL The tri
umphal progress of free institutions here
has had its potential influence beyond
the sea. The right of the people tC
govern based on the sacred principle ol
our revolution, that all governments de
rive their Just powers from the consent o.
the governed, is everywhere advancing
not with slow and measured steps, bu
with rapidity that within few year.
has been so signally illustrated in Grea
Britain, Spain, Italy, Prussia, Hungary
and other lands May we not hope tina
by the moral but powerful force of ouI
example, fetters may everywhere b.
broken, and some of us may live TO Sc,
that happy era, when slavery and tyranny
shall no more be known throughout tn
world, from the rivers TO the ends Of tn
earth | cannot claim tnat in the share
have had in the CELEBRATIONS and legisla
tions of this House as member and as a
officer, l have always done what wa
wisest in action or word, for none Of U
, are infallible, but / have striven
perform faithfully every duty. But d.
voted as | am, as all know, to principle
that have deemed correct, the honor an
: glory of our country have always bee
paramount above mere party ties, ca
conscientiously assert. That have sough
to mitigate rather than TO intensity the as
) perities which the collisions of opposin
: parties so often evoked must be lei
} to my fellow members to verify. In th
. responsible duties of the last six year
| have endeavored to administer the rule
you enacted for your guidance, both /
letter and spirit, with an impartiality III
I influenced by political antagonism and
may be pardoned for the expression {
e qualification, that while no decision hs
i been reversed-there have been appea
= sometimes taken, as they are by a mino
: ity as a protest against the power undC
the rules of majority-it has nevt
$ been decided by a strictly party vote
J, in the quickness with which presidin
j officer here is often compelled to rul
y hour after hour, on parliamentary point
3 and in the performance of his duty to pr,
\ tecT all members in their rights, TO az
q vance the progress Of business, and to pr
! serve order, any word has talle
from my lips that has unJustl
/ wounded any one, desire
withdraw it unreservedly. | leave tn
" room with no feeling of unkindness to,aI
l. member with whom have been aSsocis
d ed in all the years ofthe past, having ear
A. es tly tried to practice that lesson of Ii
ID which commands US TO write our enmiti
3 in sand, but to engrave our friendships {
20 granite But the last word cannot long
1t be delayed. l bid farewell to the faithf
y and confiding constituency whose atfe
d tionate regard sustained and encompass
me through all the years of my publ
II life. Farewell to the hall which, in
) excitements and restless activities, so oftC
; seemed TO represent the throbbings al
!. intense feelings of the national heal
II And finally, fellow members and friend
1t with sincere gratitude TOR the genero
support you have always given me in u
Il difficult and complex duties of the chai
O. and with the warmest wishes for yol
r, health, happiness and prosperity, one al
A. all. | bid YOU farewell