The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1830-08-25
ANTHONY CHASE.
Worcester, August 10. I83O.

worcester, August ~, 1850.
To Mr.. Anthony Chase,
Sir,-i have received your note, in behalf OF
Committee of the Manufacturers and Me.
chanics of Worcester, with the " accompany
ing piece of silver plate" which am desired 10
accept as evidence of their appreciation of
the course pursued by me while representing
this district in Congress
Sir, tho generous and indulgent manner in
which the people Of this district have viewed
my public excrtions, confers on me an obliga-
ton which can be cancelled in no way unless
by an unfeigned acknowledgement that their
good will far exceeds my deserts, and by frank
and hearty expression of thankfulness for their
repeated manifestations of friendship and con-
fidence.
The honor of a seat in the national councils
is sufficient TO satisfy greater ambition than
possess yet it brings with it weight ofIe-
Eponsibility, which calls for large share of
fortitude and patriot SIN 10 sustain it in cred
liable and useful manner. The situation in
which representative is placed is often full of
embarrassment and the services which he must
perform, call for the exercise of great vigilance
and wisdom. | am far from having the vanity
to believe that the perplexing duties of that
station have been performed by me in'the wises!
and most useful manner; all claim, is, that
j have acted with an honest zeal. and integrity
of purpose, in my efforts to sustain the interest
tenty with the obligations we owe to the ma
tion.
Tho period, during which the people of this
district have confded this trust to my care, has
been one of great conflict of opinion respecting
measures which appeared to me to touch our
most important interests, and frankly confess
that have at times felt most oppressive
iictude for the result. have however on all
occasions sought to pursue the great principles
of national policy on which our free govern
ment is founded, with the hope of securing to
the people the blessings of the constitution,
whether these principles have led me to act
with ajorties minOrities.
Believing as do that it was principal pur-
pose of forming and adopting that instrument
to give an efficient and prosperous action to
our labor, | have uniformly supported mea-
sures designed to place the industry of our
country footing to meet the competition
'offoreigners, who enjoy the protection Of their
governments. Entertaining such sentiments,
4 could not embrace the views of those states
men who give preference TO foreign industry,
who despise tho productions of our own skill,
and seek to remove our workshops to Europe,
for their policy carries us back to that state Of
colonial dependence from which we escaped
by the war of the revolution.
The contest has been severe, as the advocates
of what is falsely denominated free trade are
untirng in their zeal. Hence it is necessary
to be active and vigilant in maintaining our
right to participate in the benefits secured to
us by the constitution. The Legislative history
of the last four years will shew that the great
interests Of the laborer have, more than once,
been in imminent jeopardy.
To find my conduct, as public servant, ap-
proved by my fellow citizens at such e crisis,
excites in my mind a deeper and stronger sense
of thankfulness than am capable of express
ing.
beg leave TO assure you and all your asso.
ciates, that, while duly appreciate the beauty
and splendid workmanship of this testimonial
of your regard, shall cherish with much
stronger feelings, the evidence it brings with
il of your Indulgence towards me, and Of your
confidence in the purity of my motives. Wish
ing that prosperity may be the result of your
exertions IN the useful arts, and of those whom
you represent,
am, dear Sir, your obedient servant.
J. DAVIS.
NJ The piece of plate above referred to, i.
at the shop of T. & w. Keith, where it will re
main for few days for the inspection of Sucl
as have curiosity 10 examine it.