Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-03-02

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time rolls on, it may be said it was good for
us to be here.
Allow me- Mr.. Clerk and Gentlemen, now
that l am on my feet to thank you all for the
kind and corsiderate manner in which you
have always treated me personally, both in
public and in private, and to wish you safe
return to your homes and families, and hap
Ply and prosperous future.
Thus endeth another lesson-thus endeth
another act in the great drama of life.
Mr.. PERRY of Oxford said More than
thirty years ago l entered public life as
member of the House of Representatives.
When came here this year looked around
in this branch and the Senate and in the ex-
ecutive department., aud not single person
that was a member of either of the depart
ments OF this government was member of
that session, or connected with the govern
ment of the State. This, sir, only shows
how uncertain and changeable is everything in
this world. Many of those with whom l as
ISOLATED at that time, and who sat with me in
this hall, and who were found in the other
branch of government, are gone to their
long home to which we are all fastening.
Others are gone to distant States, others to
distant lands. They have gone, and we are
travelling on-following in their train to that
bourne to which we all shall one day arrive.
can say, Mr.. Clerk, that fully indorse
every word and every sentiment which has
been uttered here this evening. To the
Speaker who has so ably and impartially
presided over the deliberations of this House,
our sincerest thanks are due, and l have no
doubt but what he has them from our hearts.
Also the gentleman who has acted as our
Clerk.
And now let me say, that during my long
legislative life, have never been associated
with body of men with whom have formed
stronger attachments, or with whom | more
sincerely regret to part, than this. We
have formed associations here which will
bring to our minds most pleasant recollec-
tons during our entire life. We have been
associated here not as political parties, but
as gentlemen who have come here to act
unitedly for the great interests of the State
and whether our acts may inuro to its pros
perity and its future greatness, time alone
can tell. But one thing l believe we shi II
all accord to each other, and that is an honest
endeavor to faithfully discharge our duties
here in such way as shall bring to US in time
to come no unpleasant recollections, and as
shall insure to the State, whose interest we
have at heart, the greatest benefits.
l say to you, Mr.. Speaker, and to all the
members of this House, thank you for the
kindness uniformly received upon all occa-
sions at your hands. l have found myself
here without distinction of party, associated
with body of friends that l shall long re-
member. And perhaps this is the last time
l shall ever address an audience of this kind,
or part with those with whom have been as
sociated in public life but say to you, you
have my warmest regards and my sincere
prayers for your future prosperity, and the
continued prosperity of our great and growing
State and the great Union, under which we
all live, and which we all love.
Mr.. FOSTER of Bethel said:
Mr.. Clerk: The closing hour Of this Leg
islature has arrived, and there comes with il.
feelings of heartfelt sadness. We have anx-
iously wished and waited for the day that
should close our labors here, that we might
return to our homes and friends; but we were
aware that the hour of separation would bring
with it impressive and solemn reflections.
We are about to leave this hall to engage
in our various pursuits, but the pleasant ac-
quaintances and warm friendships (irrespec-
tive Of party names) here formed will be a
pie lsure to me to remember and cherish long
aft .r we shall have separated.
feel that should do injustice to my own
feelings and to my constituents, if | did not
give my hearty approval and endorsement of
the resolve presented by the gentleman from
Thomaston. The faithful manner in which
the Speaker has discharged the laborious du-
ties of his high and honorable office, his i'm
partial enforcement of the rules of this House
upon all alike, find but suitable recognition
in these manly tributes of respect. His uni
form courtesy and manly firmness, tempered
by strict justice, has not only produced our
respect, but won our affections.
And of the other officers of this House,
from the pleasant generous, and always ac-
commodating clerk, down to the active,
sprightly page, it may truly be said that they
have performed their duties with ability and
untiring energy.
Let me close these, my last words, to you,
my brother legislators, by expressing the hope
that the recollection of the many kindly acts,
and of these days of toll and sacrifice, may
sweeten the memory of the last and cause us
to hope for reunion in that brighter and bet
ter world, where these nobler feeling will be
re-kindled.
Let us therefore serve our Creator and our
country faithfully, and finally meet, one and
all, in that brighter home above, where part
ing scenes are never, never known. Good
bye.
Mr.. KEEGAN, of Madawaska, said:
Mr.. CLERK Twice before, and on similar
occasions have bid farewell to, and parted
from many persons who had become very
greatly endeared to me on account Of the
great kindness which they have, upon all oc-
casions, manifested toward me. l refer to
the members of the two past legislatures and
tue preseut Auu perhaps ~ "ooiu nav oeen
wrong in me to depart without adding one
word to what has been said by other men,
bers, upon this occasion A very few of those.
present CHANGED to have been here .durin{S
those first two sessions. As f0f~those gen.
themen whom l knew them it is quite nat
ural that shQRldfeel that there is a more
intimate Connection between them and my
SELF, than the new members of the present
legislature and myself; and yet, short as has
been my acquaintance with those who have
come here for the first time during these
three years, must say that l, for one, shall
remember them and the hours that we ha
passed together, as among the brightest pei
DDS that l have spent in this life, or that
anticipate.
And now, gentlemen, in parting with yt
express nothing but what really feel, VIII
l say that hope kind Providence
watch over you, and grant you success
your future life. trust that our lives
be as entirely devoted to the well-being
our fellow men, as believe our actions HI
been here, because believe that every md
Der has acted in all matters conscientiou
with view to advance the material inter
of our State.