Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1873-03-14
Speeches of Messrs. Colfax, Wilson and
Blaine.

The following are the valedictory remarks
of Vice-P President Colfax before the Senate,
on the 4th.
SENATORS: The time fixed by the Constitution
for the dissolution of the Forty-second Congress
has arrived and with a few parting words I shall
resign this gavel to the hOnored son of Mass achu
setts who has been chosen by the people as my
successor. Administrations terminate and Con-
crosses expire years pass by butthe nation lives
and grows and prospers, to be served in future by
those equally faithful to its interests and equally
proud of its growing influence among the nations
of the EARTH be called by the Representatives of
the people, and afterward by the people them
selves, to the responsible duty of presiding sue
cessively over the two houses of Congress for the
past ten years, from the of the war through an
era of reconstruction to of peace, more than
fills the measure of an honorableambition. Look
can claim not only that have COM
mitted no act which has proved the confidence
misplaced that called me to this position but also
that | have striven in its official duties to
administer the parliamentary law with the
same impartiality with which an upright judge
upon the bench decides in questions of life and
liberty, to faithfully protect the rights of the mi
nority. as well to uphold the rights of the major
iry, in the advancement of public business to re-
main calm and unmoved amid excitement of de-
BATE to temper and restrain from asperities and to
guard against personal antagonsms. To perform
acceptably the complex and often perplexing du-
ties of the Chair without par, isan bias has been
my constant endeavor 1t is gratifying, therefore,
that of The many hundreds of decisions made by me,
often on the instant, none have been reversed and
scarce anV seriously questioned. HOW much owe
to the uniform kindness and support of the members
over whom have presided Is difficult to expires in
words. 1t has been bounded by no party lines and
controlled by no party affiliations, and l rejoice
that have been able to attest my appreciation of
this support While jealousy defending princ-
pies before the people, this defense has never
been coupled with personal assaults on any of the
eminent public men with whom 1 have differed.
No aspersions on their character have dishunored
my tongue no epithets Or invectives have fallen
from my lips.
But the clock admonshes me that the Forty
second Congress has already passed into history,
and wishing you. Senators, useful lives for your
country, and happy lives for yourselves, and
thanking you for the resolution spread your
journal, and invoking the favor of Him who holds
the destinies of nations and of men in the hollow
OF His hand, am ready to administer the oath
of office to the Vice President-elect, whom I
now introduce to you.
Vlce-PreSlueut Wilson then addressed the
Senate as follows:
SENAToRs: In assuming the position assigned
me Dy the voice of the nation. lam not. | trust.
unmlndful OF the obligations It imposes. A SER
vice here, somewhat prolonged, covering a period
crowded with great events and an association here
with nearly two hundred and thirty Senator'S
many or them statesmen of large and varied ex-
perlence, have impressed upon me exalted ideas of
the responsibilities resting upon the occupant of
this chalr under the rules of the Senate parlia-
mentary law and the constitution In passing
then from the seat I have held for more than
eighteen years to this chair, trust, I compre-
bend something of its just requirem ents some
thing, too, of the tone and temper of the Senate
In presiding over your deliberations shall ever
strive to be free from personal prejudice and par
san bias. A sense of public du'y and obligations
of personal friendship alike require that shall he
considerable. as just and as impartial as the LOT
of humanity permits To the justice, generosity,
and friendly regard of the Senators trustfully aD-
peal for that nsel and encouragement that for
bearance and indulgence which | am sure shall
often require as your presiding officer.
At the conclusion of the proceedings of the
House on the 4th, Speaker Blaine said:
GENTLEMEN: For the forty second time since |
the Federal Government was organized its great |
representative body stand on the eve of dssolu- |
pended for moment that may return my sincere |
thanks for the kind expressions respecting nv
official conduct " hich, without division of party
you have caused to be entered on your journal
At the cose of four years service in thus RESPONSE
pie and often trying position it is a source of
honorable pride that l have so administered
my trust as to secure the confidence and
appreciation of both sides of the House If
would not be strange if in the necessarily
rapid discharge of daily business should have
erred In some of the decisions made on points I'M
expectedly arising and often without precedent to
guide me. 1t has been my good fortune however
TO De always sustained by the House and in no
single instance to have had & ruling reversed. I
advert 10 this gratifying fact to quote the lam
guage OF the most eloquent of my predecessors
IN no vain spirit of emulation, but as furnishing
powerful motive for undissembled sratitude',-and
now, gentlemen, with hearty God bless Won all. /
discharge my only remaining duty in declaring
hat the House of Representatives of the Forty
second Congress is adjourned without day.