SENATE Designated to Read, Washington's Fare Opinion of Duty, and to a Deference for Well Address Today
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<iongrrssional Rrrord , United States PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 82d CONGRESS, I!IRST SESSION of America from Vermont [Mr. FLANDERS] has been a uniform sacrifice of: inclination to the SENATE designated to read, Washington's Fare opinion of duty, and to a deference for well Address today. what appeared to be your ~esire. I con- · THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1951 Mr. McFARLAND. Mr. President, be stantly hoped that it would have been (Legislative day of Monday, January 29, fore the distinguished Senator from Ver much earlier in my power, consistently mont reads the Farewell Address I sug with motives which I was not at liberty 1951) gest the absence of a quorum. to disregard, to return to that retirement The Senate met at 12 o'clock meridian, The VICE PRESIDENT. The Secre from which I had been reluctantly on the expiration of the recess. tary will call tht roll. drawn. The strength of my inclination The Chief Clerk proceeded to call the to do this, previous to the last election, A MOMENT OF SILENT PRAYER FOR roll. had even led to the preparation of an WORLD PEACE Mr. McFJ'.RLAND. Mr. President, I address to declare it to you; but mature The VICE PRESIDENT. It has been ask unanimous consent that the order reflection on the then perplexed and suggested by a number of Sen&tors that for a quorum can be rescinded and that critical posture of our affairs with for before the Chaplain leads us in prayer further proceedings under the call be eign nations, and the unanimous advice we bow our heads in a moment of silent suspended. of persons entitled to my confidence, prayer in behalf of a just and honorable The VICE PRESIDENT. Without ob impelled me to abandon the idea. peace throughout the world. jection, it is so ordered. I rejoice that the state of your con <Senators and the occupants of the In accordance with the resolution of cerns, external as well as internal, no galleries rose and devoted a moment to the Senate adopted on January 24, 1901, longer renders the pursuit of inclination silent T'lraycr.) ordering the reading on the 22d day of incompatible with the sentiment of duty PRAYER February of each year the Farewell Ad or propriety; and am persuaded, what dress of George Washington, the Chair ever partiality may be retained for my The Chaplain, Rev. Frederick Brown as he has stated, has designated the Sen services,.. that in the present circum Harris, D. D., offered the following ator from Vermont to read the address, stances of our country, .you will not dis prayer: and the Senator from Vermont is now approve my determination to retire. Our fathers' God, author of liberty, out recognized for that purpose. The impressions with which I first of the heroic yesterdays when founding Mr. FLANDERS advanced to the desk undertook the arduous trust, were ex fathers, pledging their lives, fortunes, and said: plained on the proper occasion. In the and sacred honor, molded the Union, Mr. President, I consider it a great discharge of this trust, I will only say comes an arresting voice on this day of privilege to read Washington's Farewell that I have, with good intentions, con sacramental remembrance: "Let us now Address. tributed towards the organization and praise famous men and our fathers that Thereupon Mr. FLANDERS read the administration of the government, the begat us; for the L-0rd manifested in Farewell Address, as fallows: best exertions of which a very fallible them great glory, even His mighty power judgment was capable. Not unconscious To the people of the United States: from the beginning." FRIENDS AND FELLOW CITIZENS: The in the outset, of the inferiority of my We give Thee thanks for the life and period for a new election of a citizen to qualifications, experience, in my own service and the unsullied character of administer the executive government of eyes, perhaps still more in the eyes of that one whom we reverently call the others, has strengthened the motives to Father of his Country. In these new the United States being not far distant, diffidence of myself; and, every day, the days that test our souls and our faith, and the time actually arrived when your increasing weight of years admonishes we would clearly see that stately figure thoughts must be employed in desig me more and more, that the shade of fatherly, yet stern, who, having won all, nating the person who is to be clothed i·etirement is as necessary to me as it renounced all. As in the deep need of with that important trust, it appears to will be welcome. Satisfied that if any our Nation's cause we lift our hearts to me proper, especially as it may conduce circumstances have given peculiar value Thee especially would we remember that to a more distinct expression of the to my services they were temporary, I one who, in the darkness and the doubt public voice, that I should now apprise have the consolation to believe that, of an hour when all the lamps seemed to you of the resolution I have formed, to while choice and prudence invite me to have gone out, gained strength and sol decline being considered among the quit the political scene, patriotism does number of those, out of whom a choice not forbid it. ace for himself and for his tattered, suf is to be made. fering troops, when alone and apart he I beg you, at the same time, to do me In looking forward to the moment found an altar for bended knee on the · the justice to be assured, that this reso which is to terminate the career of my hard and frozen ground. May we honor lution has not been taken, without a political life, my feelings do not permit him ·best by being worthy of the favor strict regard to all the considerations me to suspend the deep acknowledgment . of his God and our God, who hath made appertaining to the relation which binds of that debt of gratitude which I owe to and preserved us a Nation. Amen. a dutiful citizen to his country; and that my beloved country, for the many honors THE JOURNAL in withdrawing the tender of service it has conferred upon me; still more for the steadfast confidence with which it On request of Mr. McFARLAND, and by which silence in my situation might unanimous consent, the reading of the imply, I am influenced by no diminution has supported me; and for the oppor Journal of the proceedings of Wednes of zeal for your future interest; no defi tunities I have thence enjoyed of mani day, February 21, 1951, was dispensed ciency of grateful respect for your past festing my inviolable attachment, by with. kindness; but am supported by a full service faithful and persevering, though conviction that the step is compatible in usefulness unequal to my zeal. If READING OF WASHINGTON'S FAREWELL with both. benefits have resulted to our country ADDRESS Th~ acceptance of, and continuance from these services, let it always be re The VICE PRESIDENT. Under a hitherto in the office to which your suf membered to your praise, and as an in special order of the Senate, the Senator frages have twice called me, have been structive example in our annals, that XCVII-92 1457 1458 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE FEBRUARY 22 under circumstances in which the pas ous anxiety; discountenancing whatever ger, a less frequent interruption of their sions, agitated in every direction, were may suggest even a suspicion that it can, peace by foreign nations; and, what is liable to mislead amidst appearances in any event, be abandoned; and indig of inestimable value, they must derive sometimes dubious, vicissitudes of for nantly frowning upon the first dawning from union, an .exem?tion from those tune often discouraging-in situations of every attempt ~o alienate any portion broils and wars between themselves, in which not unfrequently, want of suc of our country from the rest, or to which so frequently afflict neighboring - cess has countenanced the spirit of enfeeble the sacred ties which now link countries not tied together by the same criticism-the constancy of your support together the various parts. government; ·which their own rivalship was the essential prop of the efforts, and For this you have every inducement alone would be sufficient to protluce, but a guarantee of the plans, by which they of sympathy and interest. Citizens by which opposite foreign alliances, .attach were effected. Profoundly penetrated birth, or choice, of a common country, ments, and intrigues, would stimulate with this idea, I shall carry it with ·me that country has a right to concentrate and embitter. Hence likewise, they will to my grave, as a strong incitement to your affections. The name of American, avoid the necessity of those overgrown unceasing vows that heaven may con which belongs to you in your national military establishments, which.. under any tinue to you the choicest tokens of its capacity, must always exalt the just form of government are inauspicious to beneficence-that your union and broth pride of patriotism, more than any ap liberty, and which are to be regarded as erly affection may be perpetual-that pellation derived from local discrimina particularly hostile to republican liberty. the free constitution, which is the work tions. With slight shades of difference, In this sense it is, that your union ought of your hands, may be sacredly main you have the same religion, manners, · to be considered as a main prop of your tained-that its administration in every habits, and political principles.