Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1824-03-17

FROM TIE BOSTON cENTIyEL.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE cENr1NEL

TO THE EDITOR OF THE cENTINEL.
SIR
The first position which mean to establish
is this THAT the project OF the Hartford
Convention and its proceedings were more in
conformity with the public sentiment of Mas
sachusetts proper, than any measure which
had been adopted by that State since the ac-
ceptance of the Federal Constitution. How
stands the proof? In October, 1914, the Leg
islature convened in a special session, upon
call from the Governor, for the express purpose
OF conce-tng measures for the defence of the
State'f- Il her own resources. The members,
aPPg.zed u the object, and bringing with them
the recent feelings and sentiments Of their
constituents, raised Committee of both Hous-
es to report such measures as the exigency re-
quired. Among those was the resoutou -t-
posing Convention. In favor o., t4.s, a.ler
the usua. course ofproceedings a. 4eoate, the
vote in the House stood-ayes 800, nays 90
In Senate, % to II. The vote of the Repre-
sentatiyes of Massachusetts proper was 226 to
81. In the winter session o. the same Lessla-
ture, three months after the last, (the members
having had another opportunity of consulting
then constituency the Proceedings of the Con-
ventlon were reported, and referred to Com
mlttee OF both Houses. The report Of this
Com lnittee is conceived in terms OF the most
cordial aad unqualified appreciation. The ex-
pediency Of the call 1.-THE Convention is rei;e-
rated apd justified. A sense of the IS wisdom
and ability with which they have discharged
their arduous trust, is expressed. Resolutions
highly approving" their proceedings, aud re-
commenting provisions for giving them effect,
were reported, and this most full and laudatory
report was accepted in the same popular
branch by vote Of the members of MassacAu-
sets proper, SO to 48. In the interval between
the adjournment ofthe autumnal and the COM
mencement of the winter session, all the harsh
and virulent invective which had been lavish
ed upon the Convention by its leading oppo-
nents in the General Court, (and which indeed
was the source ofall the prejudice and miscon-
ception that have since prevailed was crcu-
lated far and near. Nothing was omitted to in
fame the resentment, awaken the jealousy, a.
larm the fears, and extend the sphere of an
enrased opposition, and coDjure up against the
trainers aud members Of the Convention "a blast
of poPularfury.-Bu the people were firm, land
the clamor was UNDECIDED. This is not all,
The delegates who were inhabitants of Massa-
chusetts proper, as well as the persons deput-
ed to Washington wi h these proceedings. con-
tinued, from the epoch of the Convention to
that Of the last political year, to receive as
ample testimonials of public confidence, as
were ever conferredapon the same number of
persons in the same period. With the excep-
ton Of two, (Mr. Cabot and Mr.. Dane, who:
had long since retired from political employ
ment universally estee and honored) they
were constantly appointed or chosen.to dis
tinguished public stations in the Common
wealth Chose who have died having been in
Office tothe time oftheir dcath.) Throughout
the entire period, there was no occurrence
TO justify the belief in any change of the pop
ular sentiment in Massachusetts respecting
that Convention, but on the contrary every
public indication Of an adherence to the<same
opinions was manifested in the political COM
plexion of the government, and the whole
progress Of affairs.
From this compendious state Of facts, which
it would be easy to extend, the result is inevi-
table that the People, Government, and Con-
veution of Massachusetts, lUere Unidentified, in
relation to that measure at the time of its a.
doption, and that as well after as before that
period, there reigned among the majoritygof
the people and their representatives, and the
individuals who served in the Convention, a
more perfect union Of political sentiment than
isrsually realized forsuch length Of time 10