.MTUzMw.MTU5MDE

249

[Answer of the President] this Honorable Board, since the love of praise is inseparable from our natures, and the approbation of an enlightened and virtuous tribunal, the highest and most valuable reward to an honest and liberal mind. - For every act of kindness, which has characterized your deportment as Senators or as Gentlemen, either in regard to the chair, or to me personally, accept from my bosom the warmest return of gratitude.- Have I failed, as I am conscious I have done in many instances, in discharging the duties assigned, attribute this to anything, but a want of motive, connected with the public good.- Have I, in any instance, offended the feelings of any member of this Board, allow me in justice to disavow the intention of so doing, and to tender in satisfaction "all that may become a man".- Do we cherish any personal or political animosity toward each other, may I not hope, that as we separate from this House, we shall leave them all at the threshhold of the door, remembering that union is the great source of strength and energy to the administration of our government, and that we, as private citizens, have a common interest in the fruits of our own legislation, whether they be good or whether they be evil. -- Gentlemen, the hour of separation has arrived, and whether we shall ever meet again around this Board is uncertain, and comparatively of but little consequence.- One thing, however, is certain, that in wisdom an important part has been assigned to each one of us, and in the performance of it we are constantly under the superintending eye of Him, who can never be deceived, and who will never judge us unjustly. -- May you and I act this part well, receive the approbation of our own consciences, the trifling good, which this world affords, and at last the blessed rewards of Eternity.- Gentlemen, I wish you a safe and happy return to your homes, your families, and to all the endearments of civil, social and domestic life." --

Mr.