Litchfield enquirer., 1829-01-29

cd gentleman on taking Ih" oNihs as Mayor Of Boston, not only as an act Of jusiice to him and his colleagues tn the celebrated Hartford Convention, but as specimen Or the fine composition, and good feeling, which Charac- aCterize all his productions. The whole speech, which was Of great length, has been published in pamphlet form, but we have seen only few extracts. As an orator and pop ular declaImcr, no man in inc country stands higher than Mir. Otis.
 "Gentiemen, I will now bcspeak your in- dulSence for few moments. upon d matter which though not directly appertaning to the municipal sphere, may not when candidly weighed, he regarded as misplaced and un- seasOnable on this occasion. It is quite appa- rent 10 some of 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 cOnstancy can never be forgotten, others have been pleased to unite (and to honor me with their suffra- ges.) who hold in high disapprohatiOn the part formerly took in political affairs. Their support of me on this occasion, is no symp- tom of change of their sentiment in this particular-I presume not to infer from it even mitigation of the rigor with which my pub
 lie conduct has been judged. Blu; it is not
 presumptuOus to take ir for granted, that
 those who have favored me with their coun-
 tenance on this occasion, confde in my sense
 of the obligation of vcracity,and ofthe aggra-
 vated prohigacy that would attend violation
 of it, standing here in the presence of my
 God and my country. On this faith, feel
 myself justified by circumstances, to avail
 myself of this occasion--thc first, and proha- Hly the last, so appropriate that will be in my power, distinctly and solemn.y to assert, that
 m no time in the course of my life have been
 present at any meeting of individuals public
 or prvate-of the many or the few or privv
 to correspondence of whatever description, in
 which any proposition having for its object
 the dissolution of the Union, or its dsmcm-
 berment in any shape, or separate con(rde racy, or tOrcible resistance to the Govern ! ment or laws, was ever made or debated. That have no reason to believe that any 1 such scheme was ever meditated by dstin gulshed individuals of the old federal party { But on the other hand, every reason which
 habits ot intimacy and communion of senti-
 ment with most Ofthem afforded, for the per-
 suaslon that they looked to the remote pos slblllty Ofsuch events as the most to be dep, rccated of all calamities, and that they would nave received any serious proposal calculated TOT those ends, as paroxysm "f political de llrum. This statement will bear internal ev-
 'dence of truth to all who reflect that among those men were some, by the firpsides of,
 whose ancestors the principles of the Up- ion and Independence of these States wer. at first asserted and digested- whence was taken the coal.that kindled the hallo,vrd flame of the revolution-frOm whose ashes the American Eagle rose into life. Others who had conducted the armies ofthat revolu 1 tlon-SOlomons in council, and Samsons in combat. Others who had assisted at the birth oft the Federal Constitution, and watch cd over its infancy with paternal anxiety.-~,
 And may add to the best of my knowledg" l and belief, that all of them regarded its safe | ty and success as inc best hope of this people. { and the last hope of the friends of liberty
 throughout the world. Are reasonable or dlsI"yal plots or purposes, consistent with 1 these relations? It would seem to be hardly conceivable. Yet it is possible. The los. Arch Angels cabalIed and revolted against the Government of Heavrn--Favoritcs riot ing in the sunshine of royal favor have turn ed Traitors to their King; and republicans sickenng with the higher glory of the love and confidence of the people, have cnslayed them to Tyrants; such foul conspiracies may have been in our times. But should they br credited without evidence proportioned to their probable enormi:y? Without any ryi
 dence whatever Secret cabas and plots are tue constant theme of suspicion and accusa- ton ID times oi political excitement. and they can be disatfirmed only by the simple nesation of parties accused, until the proofs are addnced. Are unguardrd slips of the tongue, or passionate invectives. proofs which ought t0 satisfy impartial minds !- Surely it is not for the honor or prosperity of thIs city or of any party, that it should be st'gmatised as the Head Quarters. not of good principles, but of Reasonable machinalions Ihe dscredt of malaria. once fixed. would affect the reputation of all. The distinction between leaders and led. SO humiliating to ireemen who are supposed to come under the latter denomination, will not be recognized, and If you are known to come from the in- fecteG district, those who hold their nostriIs and avoid you, will not stop to inquire wheth- CT the plague were in your own family. Il again express my hopes that these remarks will not be deemed ill timed. They are testimony offered in defence of the memory "f the lonOred dead. and of patriotic survi- vors who have not the same opportunity of speaking for themselves. Their object is not