Phenix Gazette

Mr. Stevenson's Address.

On being conducted to the Chair, the Speaker addressed the House in the following terms:

Gentlemen:--In accepting the distinguished honor which you have been pleased to confer upon me, I am penetrated with feelings of profound respect, and the deepest gratitude, and I receive it as the most flattering testimony of your confidence and favor. The office of Speaker of this House has been justly considered one of high and exalted character--arduous, in relation to the abilities necessary to its execution, and severely responsible and laborious. Its honor is to be measured by no ordinary standard of value. The individual, therefore, who shall fill this chair to his own reputation, and the advantage of the House, must be distinguished alike by knowledge, integrity, and diligence; he should possess an impartiality, which secures confidence; a dignity that commands respect; and a temper and affability that disarms contention. From his general character and personal qualities, he must derive a power that will give force to his interpositions, and procure respect for his decisions. He must conciliate the esteem of the enlightened body over whom he presides.

These, gentlemen, are some of the leading qualifications necessary for this arduous station. I certainly do not possess them. I know my own inability too well to believe that I shall be enabled to meet the expectations of my friends, or discharge the high trust reposed in me, in a manner suitable to its dignity and importance. Bringing with me but little knowledge or experience, I shall no doubt, often err and stand in need of your utmost forbearance. Let me hope that, on such occasions, you will scan my conduct with candor and liberality, and extend towards me the same kind indulgence which has heretofore characterized your conduct to the Chair. All that I can promise, will be a devotion of my time to your service, and an independent discharge of my duties in a plain and manly way. My gratitude for a distinction so little merited, shall stimulate me to supply, by diligence and application, what I want in knowledge and ability; and, however I may fail in other respects, I shall endeavor, at least, to entitle myself to the suffrages of zeal and impartiality.

I need not admonish you, of the magnitude of your trust, nor say any thing as to the manner in which it ought to be discharged. We must all be sensible, that, in the deliberations and proceedings of this House, the character and permanent interests of our common country are deeply involved. It was in the organization and purity of this branch of the National Government, (endeared to their warmest affections) that our fathers believed they had provided the best security for the principles of free government, and the liberty and happiness of the People. Virtuous, enlightened, and patriotic, this House may justly be regarded as the citadel of American Liberty.

Animated, then, by a serious and enlightened zeal, let us endeavor to realise the just expectations of our constituents; and let our proceedings be characterized by a cool and deliberate exertion of the talents, fortitude, and patriotism, of the House, as the surest and best means of sustaining the honor, and promoting the welfare and happiness of our beloved country.