The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1848-09-09
GTtie DItlp @pp.
wore ESTER:
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1913.
Free Soil Nominations.
ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE OF MAsSA.
CHUSETTS, asa


In new and critical posture Of the national
affairs, large numbers OF the ireemen of this
Commonwe alth have assembled in their respec.
tive towns tn consult Tor the common safety. An
exigency exists, calling for an extensive combi-
nation Of couns Is and endeavors. They have
judged that Convention of Delegates, selected
by them in their several neighborhoods, and rep.
resenting the views entertained in all, light
serve TO give concentration and effect to the pa
triotic sentiment of Massachusetts,.
BY their appointment we have come together,
in the time honored metropolis OF New England.
We have taken counsel of each other We have
compared our views, and those of our different
constituencies. Cautiously and anxlously,-in,
the love OF man, 1--WE trust) and in the fear of God
we have inquired what was the dictate of duty.
We have determined on our course. 1t is one
not unattended with difficulties and sacrlfces.-
But as we understand our obligations, they leave
US no alternative. We adopt that course with no
misgivings; dlffident OF ourselves but strong and
confident in cur, cause,-not unmindfui OF the
greatness of the obstacles to be overcome but re-
membering that results with higher Power,
which does not permit worthy efforts eventually
to fail. s.e,f ....s ..t. IL ~
We ask your attention, fellow citi Lens, to some
of the views which have presented themselves to
our minds, prescribing the cour Sc of action we
have resolved to pursue. agacH9l .gsWa4 81 asla
Our American institutions were formed on the
principle OF liberty Our ancestors came hither
to find an asylum from the civil and religious des-
| potism OF the older world Their remote and
| self-dependent situation ostered and developed
the free spirit that came with them. When, at
| length, the time arrived for severance OF the
| ties which had held them subject to foreign
| government, their Declaration of Independence
I announced "that all men are created equal; that
| they endowed by their Creator with certain
| unalienabie rights that among these, are life,
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" and ssthat
TO secure these rights, governments are instituted
among men, deriving their just powers from the
consent OF the governed" In this sign they
fought and conquered; and when, in the sequel,
they proceeded to erect federal government,
| they declared it to be sin order to form more
! perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic
tranquility, provide for the common defence pro-
| mote the general welfare, and secure the bless
| ings OF liberty to themselves and their poster.
lty." 4 o@F aae
| The Federal Constitution was established sixty
| years ago. In the time that has followed, the
high wisdom OF its aims and provisions has been
amply manifested by experience But there ex-
listed already one element OF mischief, OF a power
and magnity not then dreamed OF. There were
in the country six seven hundred thousand
coiored slaves, mostly in the Southern region.
Their Introduction, in disregard of the interests
anu IcuIOHslFduCtS VI the COIOuIeS, 0aQ Oeel
cause OF resentment and complaint against the
King OF England. Most OF the statesmen Of the
South clearly discerned the wicked character and
ruinous tendency OF the institution, and readily
joined with their associates from the North in
measures hostile to its extension and perpetuity
So nearly. did the prevailing sentiment approach
to unanimity among influential men, as to dispel
any strong anxiety respecting the result. A pro-
vision vast by general consent Incorporated into
the Constitution, prohibiting the importation of
slaves after twenty years; and one Of the first
acts OF the National Congress was to renew and
confirm law, passed in 1887, in the Congress OF
the Conederacy, by a unanimous vote o. the
States and their respective Delegates, to Danish
Slavery forever from the vast territory north.
west OF the OHIO, then recently ceded to the I'm.
ion by Massachusetts,, Virginia, and other Statess
AS early as lisa, Mr.. Jefferson, as Chairman of
Committee OF Congress, had reported a measure
OF still wider comprehension. app ying the same
principle to all territory ceded or 10 be ceded''
by any OF the States, aud accordingly including
the territory now embraced in the States of Ten.
nessee, Mississippi and Alabama The measure
in this form was lost by the want OF single vote.
Twentytthree Delegates were present, epresent-
ing eleven States. Sixteen Delegates voted for
the measure. seven against it--six States in the
afhrmatiye-three only in the negative. But un-
der the rules of proceeding in the Continental
Congress, these msjorties were not sufficient.
The beginning Of the present century brought
upon the stage Of active life generation not in
structed by any suffering experience Of IFS own,
respecting the worth OF liberty, and the necessi-
ty Of perpetual vigilance for its protection, "A
generation, at the South, debauched BY the iusi
tor power, and at the North, too much engrossed
by the cares OF gain to be duly watchful against
the usurpations that were Threatened. With the
growth Of the country, public offices had become
numerous and lucrative. The owners OF slaves
through their possession Of heproPerty and Of the
education OF nearly halt of the States, we're aoie,
oize political influence, and the prizes OF poitI-
| cal ambition in those communities. In the mas