Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-03-05


voice that trembled at first, but grew
! gradually stronger until his words
rang out, he delivered what was. per-
| haps the most touching farewell ever
delivered from the Speakers chair. y
! "Gentlemen of the House of Repre-
lsentatives: An age spent under this
dome must give opportunity for forming
many and strong ties. Constituted as
have been from childhood, friendship
lis an essential element of my life's
food and whether on the floor or in the
chair I, have found a bountiful supply
| in this hall. have seen beautiful and
Instructive things on this floor, sharp,
able. feeling debate; and debate, gen.
tlener is the foundation and sustaining
power of American liberty. But have
seen another beautiful thing. When
the flag was raised in war l have seen
both sides OF this chamber, as one man,
put $50, 900 into the hands of the
Chiefo Magistrate and say lead on
without a dissentingsyoice. / say that
from It hat hour Il have believed there
was no future moment when disin-
tegra ton could come to this republic.
i AMI xren 1 saw ths young men from
levsrf etate hsthe arnion touching Ell
4 boW and elbow and irushing into the
ranks Af war, there was absolute con-
lirmatiOn of that belief.
| Il have no fears for the future of my
country. Let no one be disturbed by
the battles on this floor AS 1 said,
they are guarantees of freedom and /
approve them. At times there may be
lscars left but they are not scars that
leave a permanent cripple; they are
1aoNp tho md tha
hood without a dangerous wound. For
lone, go where | may from this hall I
shall carry with me in my heart an af
lfectionate recollection of the friends
that have met here and L 90 not know
of one enemy. Whenever I meet any
member of this body in the future l
shall feel that | meet legisla tive COM
rade and l know that he will meet
friend.
81 am not going to give counsel to
this body further than to say that there
IS nothing more precious than this gov
lernmcnt for us to fight for. Preserve
that if you lose your life. 1t is more
valuable than anything that can be
named. Go on with the rough and
tumble battles of legislation, but keep
your eye on that flag which God asks
US to die for.
when l took this chair, I asked the
support of this House to aid me ir
performing the duties of this high office
(which you conferred upon me. That
lgavel in my hand has never been de-
fed by either side of this chamber. 1t
lis a pleasure to say that. It always
has secured obedience, recognition
iwhen order was demanded, and. know
L. of hat
lis pleasant recollection to me.
"Now, gentlemen, if know my feel
|ings toward this body of men, know
THAT / shall carry with me through life
the image of this hour with it's general
lapprovai and treatment of them. !
Ishall carry every one of your faces in
Imy memory and I shall never cease to
feel an interest in this great body
which stands so near to the happiness
of my country men, and now l bid you
good bye
Toward the close he lay down the gravel
and reached out his arms to his colleagues
and he spoke of the love and affection with
which he would treasure the friendships
and memories of his career in the House
i When he finished the cheers from floor and
galleries echoed and re~echoed through
the hall.
The members with very few excep-
II tons on the Democratic side, were on
their feet Suddenly there appeared on
the Republican side, as if by magic, a
forest of American flags. Waving these
j aloft, the members sang America, the
/ galleries rising Ell masse to join in the
4 chorus. 1t was-a stirring scene.
| As the notes of the hymn died away, the
Il Speaker who seemingly Rad forgotten to
make the final announcement, turned as If
to leave the chair. He was reminded of his
+ omission by the clerk at his side. He
turned and in clear voice declared the
Il House adjourned sine die
i Then the demonstration of applause was
renewed. In the midst of it, Kyle (Ohio)
l began singing America" The House
took it up as the members surged for
Il ward to bid the Speaker farewell. He de-
scendcd from the rostrum and stood at
the door The members filed by ana each
received from him some pleasant word
i and a cordial shake of the hand.
dozen Republican members gathered
on the marble steps behind him and the
song changed For He's a jolly Good
Fellow and later to God BE With You
Till We Meet Again. This hymn so
touched the Speaker that he turned to
ITawney (Minn) while the procession was
still passing and asked him to write out
the words and send them to him. Before
all the members had passed the visitors
from the galleries began surging onto
the floor also eager to grasp his hand.
The reception continued for nearly an
hour and finally broke up with the sing
ing of the "Doxology." Many ladies had
thrust bouquets of flowers into his hands
and when ex-Speaker Henderson finally
retired to his rooms his arms were filled
with violets, roses and other choice flow
ers.
|