Year: 1872

Remarks On the Close Of the SDec1R


Legislative Session, April 4, I672.


The following remarks were delivered
Yesterday by Mr.. CheatAam, Of Robertson,
Just before the House adjourned sine die:


Mr.. Speaker-By constitutional limita-
ton our labors as a deiberative body will
in q few moments end. Our work as the
representatives of a great people is accom-
plished. Have we honestly and faithfully
discharged our duty? Can We return to
the bosom Of people who have contided
their political interests to our care and hOu-
ored us with their trusts and be welcomed
by them and receive the gratifying assur-
ance that we have fought good fght-that
we have done the State some service?


You, Mr.. Speaker, have contributed
much to the success which has crowned
our labors, and have now the lasting graft
tude not only of this body, but the people
of the State, and in your retirement to the
private walks of life you carry with you the
confidence, admiration and affection OF
every member upon this floor.


The ties which bind us as legislators are
soon to be broken, but friendships chain,
more enduring than brasen fetters, can
only be severed by death.


can truthfully say that, since have oc-
cupied this seat, Ihave never introduced any
bill or resolution partisan in its character or
proscriptive in its provisions, but have en-
deavored to raise myself above the petty
and paltry passions and prejudices Of the
hour, patient in the Lope-fervent in the
desire-that time, coupled with the strong
and inexorable DEGREES of Justice, would
drive away the dark clouds, and reason
mount her throne, and with the voice Of
power proclaim in language which can be
trusted "Let US have peace" Then shall
honesty triumph and corruption fall as did
Priam's power, and one prodigiOus swell
shall swallow all.


Unfortunately, Mr.. Speaker, inordinate
ambition-desire for political promotion
and Executive favOr-cause men to forget
the obligations they owe to their God, their
people and themselves, and those with
whom they should labor for a common
cause, and in the interests of common
country. Accused be the man who owes
his greatness to his cOuntry's ruin.


In the capacity of a legislative body we
shall not meet again, and when we disband,
and soon we must, some to return to the
beautiful valleys and romantic mountains Of
East Tennessee, some to the rich and fertile
fields of West Tennessee, whose borders are
kissed by the Father of Waters as he Tushes
madly to his home in the sea; others to our
own Middle Tennessee, the Eden where
flowers of beauty bloom, and the cereals
grow in rich profusion-I say that when
you depart you carry my warmest friendship
and kindest regards. To that towering Ciyt,
whose gallant and handsome form has reared
itself above the storm Of political conflict,
and like some mighty sturdy yak command
ed the admiration Of us all; to that Martin,
whose piercing eye and honest heart has
ever been ready to watch from his tower of
duty tie hungry hawks of corruption who,
vulture like, have hung around the Capitol;
to that knightlY Spear, whose sharp lance
has so often been used effectually against the
enemies who have sought to impair and
ruin the credit of the State; to that mighty
and noble SAINT sell Epson, whose locks Of
strength has been but recently shorne; to
that Leach. who has stuck with tenacity to
what he believed to be right; to that Carr
who has pushed his way up the grade of
fame, and stands to-day the only Represen-
tatiye upon this floor Of Washington, and to
that kind Shepherd whose watchful and
pater al care has ever been exercised over
this fock-to each and all Of you l extend
my lasting gratitude. To the Clerks of
this House I return my most profound
thanks, and to the gentlemanly and impair
tial reporters Of the press, whom 1 shall
ever hold in grateful remembrance, bid
YOU, one and all, an afectionate farewell.
There is no union here of hearts


That finds not here an end;


But there is a world above


Where parting Is unknown


A long eternity of love,


Formed for the good alone.