The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1877-03-05
VOLUME XXv--NUMBER l63

OF excitement, Mat the life Of the Re.
PuOhc was despaitel Of, every indnStriSl
interest was paraliled by iba ms;nini
pressure OF the uncertain,y sparoLn
menaCed nation. To that dire ne.;I onj
hseessity, you Senator's with Your 20.
adlg'orS, addressed yourselves, and rising
to the altitude Of the occasion mas.
tered the situation. The nation still
lives, and upon this perilous divide
You have held and saved the RepnbIic
which will ever mark the Centennial
with all its fortunes. The source Of power
Is again proven not by simple recognition
but by u signal demonstration, iliustrato
ing the fact that the people do not exist
!or The State, but that the State Is framed
Tor the people. II was a sublime spec.
tacle OF delegated will, determining a
perilons incident in national progress,
The crisis has not come without its great
service. II has at least broadened the
ideas OF the country and exemplifed the
truth that in great crisis the American
Republicans are less the subjects Of par
ty than citizens OF the Republic. The
nation i,ton has likewise undergone a new bap.
' .ls'h' Snd its representatives have illus
'1n;,l 'rateG Tue highest honor TO be that Of
Usefulness to the country. q
Inc occasion not only assured the ex.
istence OF the government, but ravo,Iod
the impurchaseable independence Of ,hc
American citizen. The method of mi.
solution ol the threatening Presidential
event was suggestion OF no individual
opinion, but resultant of the conceRSion
OF many. In the storm Of adjustment
Ioubts and reflections were rife, but these
disappeared. In the calm OF the declara.
Ton various convictions Of duty NAV
have questioned the wisdom Of The
respective opponents, but upon the in.
tegrity OF all, the tranqil result inyokes
National praise. That party ardor, in.
tensiiied by the closeness Of the election
and doubt as to which should Be declared
chosen, and this uncertainty alternating
between the candidates daily for months
should move individuals to partisan
words is less strange than that
wonderful freedom from acrimony and
renewal OF cordiaity should follow 90
soon after such an exciting contest. Yer.
lily the statesman in this chamber rises
above the politician. The country will
gratefully note this illustrious example of
patriotic devotion to its life and institu.
tions during the exciting session. 1t
would be vain to hope that in the admin
lstration OF this chair some Of you, Sena.
tors, have not had occasion to critizise,
and it may be except TO the rulings.
Your generosity, however, has been
only equal to your cordiality Of
support. OF one thing be assured,
that, however the chair may have
swerved, it has been solely the error Of
unripened judgment upheld by a purity
OF motive and impartiality OF purpose,
which, it is hoped, is not questioned.
Senator's, the closing moment brings me
to the painful reflection oi our separa
lion. The changes in consequence Of po.
litical strife will make inroads upon our
Huw6sr Though we gain new as We
lose old Associates, the breach comcs not
without pang. Responsible, Iaborious,
exhausting and conflicting as are the du.
ties OF this august body, Cordiality, friend.
ship and attachment are cords wound
around our Senatorial band. With those
who leave the Senate our highest hopes
and best wishes follow. To those who
are here TO join US, our salutations OF wei.
come are rendered. Thus parting and
bidding adieu, while not emitting the
officers Of the Senate, whose fidelity
words cannot adequately acknowledge,
and commencing all to the care Of that
Providence which has kindly kept our
unbroken during the session, /
now pronounce the closing session Of the
lith Congress adjourned without day.
| LGreat applause on the floor and in the
galleries.