which the patronage would be an irksome
encumbrance, the emoluments superfluous to one content with the
rest of his industrious fellow-citizens that his own hands
minister to his wants; and as for the power supposed to follow
it--I have lived near half a century, and I have learned that
power and place may be severed.

"But one power I do prize; that of being the advocate of my
countrymen here, and their fellow-labourers elsewhere, in those
things which concern the best interests of mankind. That power, I
know full well, no government can give--no change take away!"

His speech on negro slavery made a deep impression upon the country,
and rose towards its termination, gradually, but with ever-ascending
periods, to a close of absolute majesty:--

"I regard the freedom of the negro as accomplished and sure. Why?
Because it is his right--because he has shown himself fit for it;
because a pretext, or a shadow of a pretext, can no longer be
devised for withholding that right from its possessor. I know that
all men at this day take a part in the question, and they will no
longer bear to be imposed upon, now they are well informed. My
reliance is firm and unflinching upon the great change which I
have witnessed--the education of the people, unfettered by party
or by sect--witnessed from the beginning of its progress, I may
say from the hour of its birth! Yes! It was not for a humble man
like me to assist at royal births with the illustrious Prince who
condescended to grace the pageant of this opening session, or the
great captain and statesman in whose presence I am now proud to
speak. But with that illustrious Prince, and with the father of
the Queen, I assisted at that other birth, more conspicuous still.
With them, and with the head of the House of Russell, incomparably
more illustrious in my eyes, I watched over its cradle--I marked
its growth--I rejoiced in its strength--I witnessed its maturity;
I have been spared to see it ascend the very height of supreme
power; directing the councils of state; accelerating every great
improvement; uniting itself with every good work; propping all
useful institutions; extirpating abuses in all our institutions;
passing the bounds of our European dominion, and in the New World,
as in the Old, proclaiming that freedom is the birthright of
man--that d