The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1903-03-14
ooLFAx GRANT PARISH, La, SATURDAY. MARCH IA, 1903

Beautiful and Sensible Chivalry.
The47th Congress which adjourned
March 4th was possibly marked by as
much bitter discussion as any Con-
gress ever assembled. AS a Democrat
We have been occasionally riled at
the BIPARTISAN rulings of Hon. David B.
Henderson, the Republican Speaker
of the House, but we cannot help adj
miring the man for his chivalric and
patriotic farewell address. 1t being
the end OF his term, he was retiring
not only as presiding officer, but from
the House as member. The usual
resolution of thanks to the Speaker,
''for the able, impartial and dignified
manner in which he had presided"
was pending when a most remarkable
scene ensued. In the bitter ranking
of partisan feeling Mr.. Cochran DEM
ocrat) of Missouri, demanded the
yeas and nays. Mr.. Cannon, the in
coming Speaker, announced the de-
mand, and requested that those favor
ing a call of the roll stand up until
counted. It required AZ to order the
calling Of the roll, and only 81 stood
up, and so the resolution passed with
this faint opposition. A few minutes
later Mr.. Henderson came in and was
informed Of the resolution, amid u
great wave of applause on the Repub-
lican side, which extended to the DEM
ocratic side, and into the galleries,
and all over the House, the great ma
jority Of the Democrats rising to their
feet and vieing with the Republicans
in hearty approval of the resolution.
The reports say Mr.. Henderson was
visibly affected as he stood upon the
rostrum and faced the packed CALLER
les and the members of the House to
deliver his valedictory. For q minute
he paused to control his emotion,
then in a voice that trembled at first,
but grew steady and ringing as he
proceeded, he delivered one of the
most touching and perhaps the most
eloquent and patriotic address ever
delivered from the Speakers chair.
We print the speech as a gem of ora
tory and patriotism, as follows:
Gentlemen of the House of Repre-
sentatives-An age spent under this
dome must give opportunity for
forming many and strong ties. Con-
stituted as have been from child
hood, friendship is as essential ele-
ment OF my lies food. And, whether
on the floor or In the chair, / have
found a bOuntiful supply In this hall.
/ have seen beautiful and instructive
things on this fi0or-sharp, able, feel
ing debate. And debate, gentlemen,
Is the foundation and sustaining
power OF American liberty. But
have seen another beautiful thing
When the feeling was raised in war,
have seen both sides of this chamber,
as one man, put $50, 900. 900 into the
hands of the Chief Magistrate and
say, lead on without a dissenting
voice. / say, that from that hour
have believed that there is no future
moment when disintegratiOn will
come to this republic. And when /
saw the young men from every State
In the Union touching elbow to elbow
and rushing into the ranks of war,
there was absolute confirmation of
that belief.
II have no fears for the future of
my country. Let no one be disturbed
by the battles on this floor. As II
said, they are guarantees of freedom,
and l approve them. At times there |
may be scars left. but they are not |
scars that leave a permanent cripple; !.
they are scars that leave the soul and
the manhood without a dangerous
wound. For one. go where may
from this hall. shall carry with me
In my heart an afiectionate recollec-
ton of the friends ] have met here.
and do not know of one enemy.
Whenever meet any member of this
body In the future, shall feel that /
meet q legislative comrade, and /
know that he will meet a friend.
II am not going to give counsel to
this body further than to say that
there Is nothing more precious than
this government for us to fight for.
Preserve that, II you love your life
1t is more valuable than anything
that can he named. Go on with the
rough and tumble battles of legisla-
ton. but keep your eye ON that flag
which God asks you to die for.
"When took this chair asked the
support of this house to aid me in
performing the duties of this high
Office, which you conferred upon me.
That gavel in my hand has never
been defied by either side of this
chamber. 1t is a pleasure tosay that.
1t always has secured obedience and
recognition when order was demand
ed. Knowing how excited we are ut
times, that is a pleasant recollection
to me.
"Now, gentlemen. II I know my
feelings towards this BODY of men. i
know that shall carry through life
the image of this house with its gen.
erous approval and treatment of me
this morning. shall carry everyone
of your faces in my memory, and l
shall never cease to feel an interest In
<bi, r~,rao Rod xv,y~sor.