Daily Kennebec journal., 1876-02-25

thought Of myself. And I must agree with the
gentleman from Portland Mr.. Anderson1, who
indicated that upon assembling here many of us
came together, possibly, with prejudces, outlined
with surmises as to what might be the course
which would be adopted by parties and by gentle
men. 1t has been extremely gratifying to me, as
has been said by gentlemen who have been in the
minority this winter, to feel that in many cases
upon important measures all partizan feeling has
been abandoned and overlooked, and the true in
terests of the State and honesty and candor has
prevailed in the deliberations of this Horse II il
pleasant thing indeed at the close of this session
after the turmoil and the discussions and the CON
dition Of things which has prevailed between mem
bers, 10 assemble at last in quiet, subdued and
solemn manner, to listen to expressions of feeling
with regard to impending separation.
Ever since the characteristics of human nature
have been understood, we have observed the same
thing. 1t is said that once i'll four years the con-
tiicting tribes Of Greece put aside the armor OF
war, laid aside the instruments of contest, and as
sembled in friendly intercourse on the banks OF
the Alphcus. beneath the sacred olive groves OF
Olympia. Following these natural impulses and
inclinations of the human heart after our discus
sions and our contests and our conflicts, we have
assembled on this last night of the session at our
Olympia in friendly greeting, friendly concratula-
ton and the expression of mutual Obligations
This has been IN some respects remarkable
session From what have observed of the course
of legislation here, and the members who have
occupied this hall. believe it to have been re-
marksble in more than one respect. We have
performed large amount of business. We have
had before this House important and vital oues-
tons, and it cannot but be the feeling of all men,
bers of this House. as it is my feeling tonight
that those questions have been settled with calm
ness, dchberation and impartiality, unbiased by
any influences of party. No matter what idiosyn-
cracies Of our nature have affected u.s. the most
important questions affecting the State of Maine
have been settled honestly and upon their merits
by all members of this House, no matter to which
party they belong. And i; is to the everlasting
homer and credit of the State of Maine that she
produces men that are above all partizan feeling
on questions that affect the interests of the Com
monwealth.
This, gentlemen, is the anniversary of the indie
perdence and the establishment of this Nation,
and of the government. The State of Maine
never before has been able to refer to that
tion as one in which it was associated State.
And to-day, for the first time, the State of Maine
takes her position in this Centennial Anniversary
as a nation. And this Legislature will be rcmem-
bered the Legislature 1876, one hundred years
from that Declaration of Independence which cstab-
lished this the coming nation among the nations
of the earth. well remember when with all the
longings OF an urchin, looked out over the wind
blown hills of Maine with the natural ambition
which belongs to boys, and thought the State of
Maine was too rugged, its climate too severe, its
opportunities too narrow, its chances too limited
but In the viclsstudes of later life have met the
people of our sister States, and have met those
who live under different governments from ours
and have heard the criticisms which are made
upon our government, and have had an opportu-
nity TO compare it somewhat with others. Ard
there is one thing above all others that has been
impressed upon my mind, and it is that of a Il ma
tlons that now occupy the face of this globe, the
coming nation is the nation of the United States.
We stand here to day in the beginning of our sec
ond century with government, people, faith, an
impulse and hope which must Garry our achieve
mPntS beCOpU those of the history of
that has ever existed on the face of the earth.
There sits on the shores of the Mediterranean,
nation which the poet has called the mother of
Empires; and it took centuries on centuries
to build that reputation. In the Island Of
Great Britain is nation that has controlled
the destinies Of the world and it has taken
centuries to build it up. And to-day, on this
continent, with only one hundred years of growth,
the United States stands in the vanguard
of all nations. And the State of Maine, the
State which lies nearest the rising sun, and whose
ambitious motto is Dirigo, "Ilead" the State whose
Legislature l am now addressing upon the subjec.
of cur separation as legislators, and upon the gem
eral fraternal expressions of good feeling at the
pleasant occasions which we have experienced
here together, is worthy Of her position and her
motto.
1t is unnecessary for me to say to the honorable,
able, and amiable gentleman who occupies the
Speakers chair, what think of the manner in
which he has presided over this House. He will
sufficiently expressed already. So far as | am
concerned myself, came here, as the gentleman
from Machias says, without experience, timid,
deficient, uncertain as to the result. And yet, l
have received at the hands of all the members
that kindness, that courtesy, that expression of
sympathy, which has given me confidence and has
enabled me to perform my part with certain sat-
istaction. | shall separate from you all with as
kindly and with as friendly feelings as any in
dvidual that goes out of this hall And in closing
my remarks, will only express the hope that it
will be my good fortune to meet you all again in
this hall. [Appause.l
The resolution was unanimously adopted.
The Speaker, Mr.. RoBIE, then said
Gentlemen of the House-An occasion like the
present has become more familiar to me than to
most of the members, but its frequent occurrence
does not detract from its significance or lessen its
peculiar influence, over the kndier and more SEN
sitive feelings of human nature. In such tide of
affairs, you have easily forgotten my own faults,
and have thus been enabled to mete out to me such
q generous and unanimous appreciation, and in re-
turn receive my sincere and heartfelt gratitude.
Many events and questions IN life we control for
our own good, and the happiness of Others and the
world would hardly be thankful that we had ever
lived, if it were not so. Few persons if any, can
look back upon the track that we are all travel
ling, and measure their own footprints, without
noticing faults and irregular steps. The same rule
will apply to communities, as an assembly like our
own. Our legislative history may perhaps have
its faults; enactments may have been passed in
wrong direction, which more mature deliberation
would have corrected; but this l am pleased to
say, the duties of the working committees have
been very arduous, and as promptly and carefully
performed. The proceedings of the House, as re-
corded by your faithful and efficient clerks fur
nish reliable evidence Of your industry and devo-
ton to the interests of our noble State. We have
been economical in our appropriations, we have es-
tablished policy Of retrenchment, and have
enacted such laws as will lesson the burden of
future legislatures, and make shorter sessions
practicable. Your constituents in these respects,
will notice your ability and devotion to the best
interests of the State. have endeavored to dis
charge the duties of the chair impartially, and for
much that pleasant, incident thereto, am ndebt-
ed to your uniform kindness and courtesy The ses-
sion has been short and pleasant one, there has
been shorter one for the past twenty four years
Our social relationship and friendships have been
strong. Party connections have not nterfered for
a moment. Friendship is only burden when
separation comes, and then the cord is tested We
feel the tension of that cord at this moment, but
by the belief that our legislative acts
have been judcious our individual intercourse
with each other manly and honorable and that our
social and friendly relationship will furnish a
pleasant retrospect, we can say"F arewel'. "a word
that has been, and must be, sound which makes
Tara I~,,e.