Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1824-03-24
FROM THE BOSTON cENT1NEL.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE cENr1NEL.

SIR
The Hartford Convention, though
irreconcilably opposed to the origin and
conduct Of the war, and most anxious
for peace, was nevertheless as | have
asserted, professedly and truly CO~n-
cal Of War ; created TO make more
ettectual provision for the public de-
fence. 1t is inconceivable by what
force Of imagination it could have been,
in any possible event, said to produce
the certain effect" of dlscouraging
friends Or encouraging the enemy. Still,
had 1t been true in fact that these effects
had been produced by any cause what
ever, there would have been the same
diff :ulty in disproving his Excellency's
assertion which is always incident to
what is termed IN logic; proving neg
ative.-We must have rested on the
natural incredibility of the fact-On
the imposslbi!ity of any connexlon be-
tween such a cause and such an effect
On the tendency of the cause 10 pro-
duce an opposite effect, and in a word
upon the total restitution of proof on
his part. But the true and conclusive re-
ply to this direct assertion of the speech
(already glVen) is that between the
time of the institution of the Hartford
Convention and the end of the war, no
such "certain effects' as are mention
ed, took place.-No such events hap
pened-No instance can be adduced
demonstrative of increased confidence
in the enemy, or of depression In the
defenders of the country. The very
reverse OF all this may be established
by the history of that period.-The APP
pailIng occurrences of the war, all hap
pened prior 10 the era of the Conven-
tion.-Betore that time the enemy had
lowered over and threatened the coast
from Name TO Georgia. They mad
made descents in many places, ravaging
them with fire and sword. They had
marched almost without molestatlon to
the Metropolis of the Union, and des-
trOyed with Vandal hands the public
buildings. Never was the aspect of
our affairs more perilous, the attitude
OF the enemy so menacing, his prefer
sions so lofty, and the discomfort with
the measures of government so feverish
among the people of Massachusetts,,
Though always loyal and alert for mea-
sures obedience, as in the season imme-
diately preceding the organization of
the Convention. 1t was this posture of
affairs which induced the Executive of
Massachusetts 10 convene the Legisla-
ture, and which suggested to that body
the expedlency OF Convention, among
other resolutions providing defensive
measures. The Legislature was sum-
moned in September, 1914. The act
institutng the Convention passed in Oc-
toDer following. The Convention was
in session from the 18th of December
in that year, TO the 5th day of the next
January. Throughout this entire Pc
riod, and thencelorward to the termina-
ton of the war, not new project was
formed, nor enterprise commenced, nor
new pretension advanced, nor adyan-
tage of any moment gained, by the en-
envy. On the other hand to this same
period dating from the act establishing
the Conyention) may be referred, a
more united disposition in the people to
prepare the means of prOtracted resis-
lance, not indeed from acquiescence in
the hostile policy which occasioned the
war, but from apersuasion of It's being
the only means of safety. And it may
be truly affirmed that no period of the
war was distinguished by so much mill
tary vigor, and brilliant success, and so
much of unity in the national feeling on
the part of this People; and so alpa-
BILE lowering Of one on that of the
enemy as that Immediately following
the sittings of the Convention. The
President of the U. States at this time
appears TO have entertained no appre-
tensions from the disafection Of Massa.