The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1829-01-21
HARTFORD CONVENTION

JfUU UILS,
commencing his duties as Mayor of Boston, and
cannot fail to be read with interest by our read
ers generally. 1t is now time to establish the
Hartford Convention on its proper foundation
Mr.. Otis unequivocally dec Iares, that he never
participated in any discussion, public or private.
whose object was dissolution OF the Uuion, a
1orcible resistance of the measures of govern
nent, or the establishment off separate confed-
eracy. 1t any one has evidence to d:sprove
these assertions, it should be given to the pub
lie. After speaking of the city, Mr. Otis re-
marks :-LOaceU JOurRaI1
Gentlemen, will now bespeak your in
/ diligence for few moments, upon matter
which, though not directly appertaining to
! the municipal sphere, may no., when candidly
weighed, be-regarded as misplaced and un-
! seasonable on this occasion. It is quite
apparent to our Fellow Citizens that the
honor of the chair, which | now occupy, is
not the fruit of any party struggle. With
the friends OF former days, whose consistency
can never be forgotten, others have been
( pleased to unite, land to honor me with
their suffrag es) who hold in high disappro-
baton the part | formerly took in political
affairs. Their support of me on this occa-
sion is no symptom of a change of their SEN
timent in that partcular-I presume not to
infer from it even mitigation of the rigor
with which my public conduct has been
judged. But it is not presumptious to take
it for granted, that those who have favored
me with their countenance on this occasion,
confde in my sense of the obligation of We
racity, and of the aggravated profigacy
J that would attend violation of it, standing
here in the presence of God and my coun-
try. On this faith, feel myself justified,
by circumstances, TO avail myself of this
occasion-the first, and probably the last,
so appropriate, that will be in my power,
distinctly and solemnly to assert, that in
no time, in the course of my life, have l
been present at any meeting of individuals,
public or private-of the many or the few
or prlvy to any correspondence Of whatever
description, in which any proposition, hav-
| ing for its object the dissolution of the
Union, or its ACKNOWLEDGMENT in any shape,
or separate confederacy, or a forciblc re-
sIstance to the Government or laws, was
ever made or debated. That | have no
reason to believe that any such scheme was
ever medlta.ed by distinguished individuals
OF the old Federal party; but. on the other
hand every reason which habits of intima-
cy, and communion of sentiment with most
OF them afforded, for the persuasion that
/ they looked to the remote possibility of such
! nus oS tnC uloSL ~ i'S QCpt6Cdtttt vi All
calamities, and that they would have re-
! celved any serious proposal, calculated for
those ends, as paroxysm of political delir-
/ ium. This statement will bear internal ev-
J idence of truth, to all who reflect, that
among those men were some, by the fire.
sides of whose ancestors the principles of
the Union and Independence of these
States were first asserted and digested-
| from which was taken the coal that kindled
j the halowed flame of the revolution-fiom
whose ashes the American Eagle rose into
| life. OtheTswh had conducted the meas
! ures and the armies of that revolution
| Solomons in council, and Simpsons in CON-
bat. Others who assisted of the birth of
the Federal Constitution, and watched over
lis infancy with paternal anxiety. And
may add to the best of my knowledge and
belief, that all of them regarded its safety
and success, as the best hope of this peo-
| pie, and the last hope of the friends Of lib
erty throughout the world. Are treasona-
bile or disloyal plots or purposes consistent
with these relations? 1t would seem to be
hardly conceivable. Yet it is possible
The lost Arch Angels caballed and revolt
! ed against the Government of Heaven
4 favorites, rioting in the sunshine of royal
favor, have turned traitors to their king !;
and republicans, sickening with the higher
glory of the love and confidence of the peo-
pie, have enslaved them to factions, and
sold them to tyrants such foul conspiracies
may have been in our times. But should
they I've credited without evidence proper
toned to their probable enormity With
out doings as we'll as Sayings? Without
any evidence whatever? Secret cabals
and plots are the constant theme of suspi-
cion and accusation in times of political ex-
element, and they can be disafirmed only
by simple negation of parties accused, until
the proofs are adduceG Are unguarded
slips of the tongue, or passionate invectives,
proofs which ought to satisfy impartial
minds Surely, it is not for the honor or
prosperity of this city, or of any party, that
! it should he stigmatized as the head quar-
tiers, not of good principles, but of treason
able Vaccinations. The discredit of the
malaria, once fixed, would affect the repu-
tation of all. The distinction between lead
ers and led, so insulting 20 freemen, who
are supposed to come under the latter de-
nomination, will not he recognized, and if
you are known 10 come from the infected
district, those who hold their nostrils, and
avoid you, will not stop to inquire wheth-
er the plague were in your own family.
, again express my hope that these re-
marks will not be considered ill-timed
/ They are a testimony offered in defence OF
the memory of the honored dead, and Of
patriotic survivors, who have not the same
! opportunity of speaking for themselves.
Their object is not personal favor, though |
am free to admit that am not Indifferent
to the desire of removing doubts, and giving
, satisfaction to the minds of any who, by a
magnanmons pledge of kind feelings to.
wards me, have claim upon me for every
, candid explanation, and assurance in my
power to afford. Moreover the harmony Of
our fellow citizens may be promoted by a