“Firm like the oak may our blest nation rise, No less distinguished for its strength than size; The unequal branches emulous unite To shield and grace the trunk’s majestic height; Through long succeeding years and centuries live, No vigor losing from the aid they give!”[80] CONSTANT DISTRUST OF THE PRESIDENT. REMARKS IN THE SENATE, ON THE FINAL ADJOURNMENT, NOVEMBER 26, 1867. Thursday, November 21st, Congress reassembled, pursuant to the resolution adopted July 20th. According to existing law, the regular session would commence on the first Monday of December. November 26th, Mr. Grimes, of Iowa, moved the adjournment of the two Houses on Monday, December 2d, at half past eleven o’clock, A. M. Mr. Sumner suggested “twelve o’clock,” remarking,-- I question whether we should leave even the break of half an hour between the two sessions. The point is just this: Will you leave to the President one half-hour within which he may take advantage of the absence of Congress, and issue commissions which would perhaps run--I do not decide the point now, but which, I say, might run to the last day of the next session?--that may be midsummer or autumn. I take it that an appointment during that interim of half an hour might possibly be valid to the last day of the next session of Congress. MR. EDMUNDS [of Vermont]. But the law takes no notice of parts of a day. MR. SUMNER. That is a technicality. Why open the question? Mr. Grimes, following the suggestion, altered his motion to “twelve o’clock.” A debate ensued, in which Mr. Sherman, of Ohio, Mr. Fessenden, of Maine, and Mr. Trumbull, of Illinois, took part. Mr. Sumner followed. I hope that what we do will be for the welfare of the country, and with no reference to mere rumors or reports. There I agree with my friend; but then I do not agree with him, when he says, Give the President another chance. We have been giving him chances, and we cannot act now without taking into consideration his character and position, which have become matters of history. I would speak with proper delicacy, with proper reserve, but I must speak under the responsibility of a Senator. A large portion of our country believe the President a wicked man, of evil thoughts and unpatriotic purposes, in spirit and conduct the successor of Jefferson Davis, through whom the Rebellion is revived. Such are the sentiments of a large portion of our people. MR. DIXON [of Connecticut]. I desire to ask the Senator if that is the opinion of a majority of the American people, in his judgment.