The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1848-10-31
SPEECH OF
Hon. Charles Allen.
at the City Hall, Worcester, Oct. IS, 1913.

After the enthusiastic and long continued
cheering had subsidized, Judge Allen addressed
the crowded audience as follows:
FELLOW CITIZENS: On the 2Istof June last.
| addressed you in this place under circumstances
quite peculiar. l had been sent as the dPlegate
OF the Filth Congressional District 10 the National
Wing Convention at Philadelphia. | had dIsap-
proved Of the proceedings OF that Convention
Acting, as believe did, under the instructions
| received from my constituents, | refused TO
ratify the nomination which was there made
and altogether withheld my assent to their do,
lngs. Applause returned tony home, some
days afterwards 1t was my duty to come before
you, and the people OF the Fifth District, wherev-
er | could meet them, and disclose my reasons
tor the course which | had taken.
Before any opportunity had been given to vim
dictate my conduct, was assaiIed most bitterly
by the hig press throughout the State, and 10
various parts of the country Leading politicians
OF the Wing party, whatever opinions they had
entertained respecting the propriey OF Gen Tay-
lor's nomination before that nomination was made
had determined to uphold it. They stood ready
to stiHe every expression OF opinion which shoaId
be in opposition 10 that act, and to break down
every man who should come before the people to
expose and counteract the doings OF the Phia-
deIphia Convention.
did not know the Whig press through which
! could address my fellow citizens upon the sub
ject. | had beer warned beforehand, that dis
tingushed men in this county its most dis in.
guished men, would take care Of the county, and
take care OF me Laughter.
| tetl it to be my duty then, to come forward
before the people, tearlessIy, and frankly. state
10 them what knew OF the matter, and to appeal
to their judgment IN respect to the rectitude OF
the course which had pursued. 1t was evident
that.the nomination OF Gen. Taylor, however I'M
satisfactory it might he to the people, and
knew it could not be otherwise than unsatistac-
tory to them, would be sustained by the strong
influences Of wealth and talent, by the press and
the whole disciplined force OF the late Wing par
ty; aud felt it my duty to iorewarn the people
of the almost overpowerng strength which would
be brought TO bear upon public sentiment THAI
being fore warned they might be fore armed
|, then, declared before you, that the nomina.
ton Of Gen. Taylor was unsuitable. | declared
that it was fraud upon the Wing party, and that
it was effected by an unighteous combination of
politicians Of the Northern States with Southern
Shareholders; that the nomination was, in fact,
made at FLASHING ton, and not at Philadelphia.
NV friends, the proof has been demanded -
Gov. Lincoln came forward about month after
my address delivered, and in this place deni.
ed the assertions that had made denied that
the nomination was fraud upon the Wing party ;
and denied tn at there had been any such comb.
nation to effect the nomination OF Gen TAYLOR
He promised TO address you further upon the same
subject and felt it due to bin to wait and
hear the whole OF his argument before sou hit
anopporuD.ty to reply. l looked, too, for an Ad-
dress from his associate, no was to aid him in
securing the ascendancy of Taylorsm in the
county of Worcester. 1t was expected that at
an early day that distinguished gentleman would
take the stand in the maintenance Of the position
which in brief letter he had assumed. But it
has so happened that the public will not hear
from him until the very eve of the election. He
did, indeed, address his friends in this city last
evening, but cannot safely rely upon rumor for
the statements which were made, and the press
has not given its report OF the speech; felt thatt
was due to you mot wait longer for the argument
Of YOUR distinguished Senator in the Congress of
the United States but to come forward and
maintain the positions which had taken upon
the 2lst Of June.
Now gentlemen, in respect to much of the
address OF Gov. Lincoln personal to my
self | shall have but few words to say. 1t was
10 me matter of some surprise, however, that he
should come forward n complain that he had
been draw from his privacy, into the arena of
poIifica al discussion. | was somewhat surprised
that he who had been so acdve in aiding 10 bring
about this nomination, and who was to sustain it
here by the power OF his eoquencc should
Dlead the protection OF age, and seek to avoid the
discussion OF the important political subjects
which that nominal on brought before the public
mind. why, my friends, do not know how It
seemed to you but to me it was quite a ludicrous
affair. that our busy and busting Mayor, Zap.
ulausal he who, a few months since, when the
eity charter was obtained was up Defines, "like
the spirit of youth that means to be OF note,"
seeking to invest himself with the dignity OF the
office OF chief magistrate OF this young city, and
who was seen running "neck and neck" with a
respected divine towards ambitions goal, [great
applause and laughter, that he should so soon
assume the privilege OF years, and hobble out of
the conflict on the crutch OF age. Renewed
applause and great laughter
NV friends, remember that some four or live
years ago, when the project Of annexing Texas
was the object OF all mems thoughts, had oc-
casion then to call upon Gov Lincoln, and to ask
him to lend the aid of his name 70 the call OF
great pubic meeting of the people, to express
their views ard to enlighten public sentiment in
respect to that dangerous measure. remember
that on that occasion he told me, such things
must be left to younger men, that he had retired
from political lite, and that he could not take part
in political proceedings And rember, too, that
short time after, to my great surprise, he stood
before the people as candidate for the ONCE OF
Senator OF the County, and at the Senate, board,
soon after he stood in competition for its chair
with the Younger members.ol that body.