1316 JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS [Mar. 30,

unparalleled in popular elections, it has devolved upon this
General Assembly to frame and pass such laws as would carry
into effect the provisions of that instrument which called us
into being,—a Constitution, which, whatever may be its
defects, restored to the rights of citizenship, thousands of our
friends and brethren, who had for years been pressed down
by the iron heel of power. In what manner, and with what
acceptance, we have performed our duty, time alone and the
judgment of our constituents will determine. I am sure,
that you, gentlemen, by your votes, designed to advance the
best interests of the State, and that whatever may have been
your measure of success, your motives at least were pure.

On an occasion like this, it is proper to allude to the part
your Presiding Officer has taken, in the proceedings of the
Body. The testimonial of your opinion of my labors among
you, placed upon your records, shows that your kind
partiality at least has accorded me a desire to do my duty.
This is all to which I could lay claim. I have never been
absent from your deliberations ; on each day throughout the
session, I have punctually opened the House at the hour to
which you had adjourned, and at the time of closing, I have
always put the question of adjournment, while my name will
he found on the call for the yeas and nays, on every question
from the opening to the close of the session. This is my
record ; I have done what I conceived to be my duty, and as
I have always made it a principle in life, not to accept any
position without an intention to discharge its duties, I have
merely carried out in practice here, what I have always
thought to be the duty of public servants.

On the day on which I accepted the position you had so
generously confided to me, there were eighty-six members
present, being the entire number of members elected; it is a
gratifying fact, and one of thankfulness to God, that since
that time, the number has not been diminished by the hand
of death, but that at this moment of parting, each member is
In the full enjoyment of health, and a happy cheerfulness
pervades the whole body at the prospect of a speedy return to
the loved homes, from which, by ties of duty, we have so long
been separated.

I cannot omit to state here, that my duties have been much
lightened by the promptness and fidelity of the various offi-
cers of the House and in an especial manner, without wishing
to detract from the merit of others, would I commend the
punctuality and zeal of the two principal clerks, with whom
daily I have been brought in more immediate contact.

And now, gentlemen, there is only one duty left, me to
perform. Many of you met each other in this Hall, hallowed
by so many sacred associations, for the first time ; but I feel
confident a bond of sympathy has sprung up between you,