The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1821-06-13

charter already recognized only as belonging to
history, remained firm and steady in their hab-
| its. The separation could scarcely be deemed
a revolution. Ancient usages supplied the
place oflaws, until after the lapse of FIVE years,
the Constitution under which we now assem-
BILE, was formed and adopted. Without arro-
| gance, or intending to utter an invidious re-
mark, it may justly be affirmed that no people
! on earth ever enjoyed so great share of the
blessings of freedom and self-govemment as do
the people of the United States. Not, indeed,
| that underlined and tumultuous liberty that has
occasionally agitated and emblazoned the his
/ tory OF some other nations but that sober, ra-
tional liberty that consults and protects equal
| ly the rights of all the people, and manifests
itself with a mild, steady and benignant luste
in our Constitutions of government,
| The present reference to the habits, the gem
eral prosperity, and the future hopes OF the
people, is not designed to flatter their vanity
or to indulge in a train of ostentatious Boosting.
The reference is intended for serious reflection
and practical use. If the people are in the en-
Joyment of great and distinguished blessings,
how important is it that the constituted author
tiles should be intimately acquainted with the
various sources whence those blessings flow
that they duly estimate their value, and guard
ize more exalted degrees of civil and religious
freedom than do the people of other govern
ments, it becomes US to cherish our privileges,
and to shun those enours and vices which lead
TO their destruction. If we believe that pub
lick virtue is the frmest support of free Re-
| pabhck, we shall aspire to add strength to the
| great pillar on which it rests. To you, gentle
men, are committed the dearest interests of
/ your iellow-citizens. They are now free,
prosperous and happy. May the wisdom of
| your legislation be the means of protracting
their duration.
Among the means on which the publick
prosperity depends, industry holds distn-
gushed place. Few of our enioyments, in
deed, are derived from any other source and,
without the agency of industry, all our hopes
OF future prosperity must wither and die. To
many of the vices which debase and impover-
ish mankind it proves the most ef6cacious an
tidote, and as the foundation of publick as well
as private wealth, has undisputed claims to
legislative consideration. By the power of in
dustry the American wilderness has been re-
claimed, and our fields, enriched by culture,
are made to TEEN with plenty. Industry has
erected our temples of religion, of learning,
and ofjustice. 1t has raised and furnished and
beautifed our habitations built and nayigated
our ships, and filled our stores and gamers
with the products of various chimes. Industry,
in fine, has established and is pefecting our
various manufactures, and rendering them pro-
duciive sources of individual wealth and COM
fort. The encouragement, therefore, of gene
raj industry, as occasion and circumstances
may require, is legitimate object of legisla-
tive regard and patronage.
We live, blessed be God, in a land in which
human rights are understood, where we meet
eacn other as enjoying the same franchises,
and as the offspring of common Parent. On
this haliowed foundation is erected our Vene-
rated Constitution. And all subordinate insti-
tutions, our laws, the care bestowed on the
education and moral instruction O. Our children
and youth, the ample scope given to talent
and mental effort, the principle of equality that
governs the. distribution of estates, ano the in
terest that every man has in the maintenance
OF free government, conspire, with many 9TH
er causes, to render the Constitution perpetu-
al.-No better proof can be furnished of the
merits of our great social compact, and its
adaptation to the character and circumstances
OF the Commonwealth, than that Tor forty
year. II should have been the means of making
a great community happy. The result of the
test to which it has recently been subjected
has proved the attachment of the people TO the
Constitution, and thatin their estimation few
alterations only were expedient.
avail myself of the present occasion to no.
tice the termination of the misunderstanding
that SO long subsisted between the United
States and the Spanish nation. The conclu-
sion of the controversy has not only put at rest
the question of hostility which seemed at one
period to threaten our peace, but will be the
means of restoring to some of our entcrprizing
citizens part, at least, of the losses they sus-
tanned by spoliation during the late European
war.
Several other subjects will be laid before
you by special message. ! only add, that in
all your measures for advancing the interests
of our common country, | shall be ready most
cordially to cooperate.
JOHN BROOKS.
June 5, 1921.
[HF In the Senate the speech was referred
to, the Hon.. Meesrs. Williams, Dutton, and
Shepley; and in the House to Messrs. Hale,
of Boston, Hart, of S. R. Bridgman, of B. Dan
forth, Of w. and Whitman, OF Pembroke, to
prepare answers.
WEDNESDAY. JUNE 6.
The petitioners for the Commercial
Bank to be established in New-Bedfard,
had leave for bill.
.Nev Valuation Committee.
The Senate having re-considered
vote of yesterday. appointed the Hon.
Messrs. Varnum, of Middlesex,. Wells, of
Suffolk, Hoyt, of Hampshire, Williams,
of Bristol, Tufts, of Worcester, Rantoul,
IL 4