Year: 1859



 Hon. ThomA1 Fletcher.

 On the day of adjournment MT. Terry offered the following resolution in the Se- nate, complimentary to Judge Fletcher as president of that body, which was unani- mously adopted:

 Resolred, That the thanks of the Senate are hereby unanimously rendered the Hon. Thomas Fletcher, president, for the digni fled, able and impartial manner in which he has presided over the deliberations of this body.

 Judge Fletcher before adjourning the Se- nate, sine de, made the following remarks in response to the above resolution

 Gentlemen cf tue Senate:

 It is with emotions of pleasure, min gled with regret, that I rise on the eve of our separation, to return you my profound acknowledgements for the compliment be- slowed upon me. 1 have labored zealous- ly and faithfully to perform the responsible and delicate duties assigned me by your par tlalIty; and 1t Is a source of deep gratitica- ton to learn, that my efforts have received the unanimous approval of such discri- minating and intelligent body. Without experience in any legislative assembly or conversant with the rules essential to con duet 1t with propriety and decorum, l threw myself upon your generous confi- dence, and to THAT 1 attribute your fiatter- ing encomiums, more than any ability on my part If have erred it has not sprung from passion or prejudice, or vain desire to exercise the power incident to office, and while l have firmly maintained the rules, have not oppressed the minority. If l have wounded the feelings of any one, can assure him in all candor, that it was without design, and am unconscious of it. While have studiously endeavored to in terpret the rules of order without regard to persons or party, l am free to confess that l have ever been reluctant to enforce them so rigidly, as to stihe full and free discus sion on questions of vital importance to our common constituency in body, where every member is gentleman, and not a few venerable in years, and distinguished in the political annals of their country. But our labor is now near its close, and those who have been intimately associated for months in the public service must be sepa- rated, and perhaps forever. The link that has bound us together must be severed, and though we may never meet again, the re- collection of our joint services, and the pleasant social relations that have ripened into warm friendship, will ever be treasur- ed in our memories In a few days you will be welcomed with joy in the bosom of the domestic circle, who have watched with solicitude your return. May there be no void in that circle since your departure, and may the desolate heart of one whose companion now sleeps with the dead, and who was our companion, be consoled with the reflection, that he was kind and devot ed, liberal, and patriotic, and beloved by every member of the Senate. May the greetings of your constituents be cordial, and your efforts to promote their interest, at such great sacrifice, meet with their ap- probation That you have labored long and zealously, solely animated by patriotic motives, l can bear my humble testimony, and l trust your acts will rebound to the glory of our common country. Your pub lie services must tend to advance the prospe rity of the State and give such an impulse to immigration and consequent increase in wealth and population, as to insure to Arkansas high and proud position among her sister States of the Union! Return ing you again my thanks for the honor be- slowed upon me, and acknowledgements for your too hattering testimony of the manner in which the duties of the office have been discharged! Inow Gd you adieu, and hope in mingling once more among the people who elevated you, oU will be received with open arms and warm hearts, and with the exclamation upon every lip, " WeN done Mou good and taitAtm serpam!"