The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1849-01-12

the rising and the setting sun, elected chief
magistrate OF the Republic for four years That
election changed the administration OF the gov
ernment or the Union, having, at its disposal, "a
hundred thousand Offices, and the annual eXpen-
diure oil forty millions OF dollars from the hands
Of one party into the hands of another. Yet, in
three days, through the agency OF electricity, the
result was known from one extremity OF the I'M
ion to the other, and that public mind, so recent
ly agitated like the pillows OF the ocean, was as
quiet and as calm though no election had been
held, and the power of mighty Republic had
not changed hands When, before, has the world
beheld such spectacle
What have been the mutations and changes OF
the dynasties OF Europe during these sixty years,
and what the condition of their subjects! Is there
one OF them which has not waded through the
blood OF revolution, or been rent aud torn by
intestine convuIsons What vast amount of
private property has been conhscated, and what
multitude OF men have languished in hopeless
Punishment, or in gloomy prisons, or have been
brought TO the block, for state offences, commit
ted against laws which they had no voice in ma
king, and against rulers who swayed the sceptre
over millions OF unwilling and discontinued sub
Jects! At this moment, the governments OF Eu-
rope have standing army OF more than millions
OF men to enforce obedience to their laws.
The question again returns, in which country,
among the Inonarches and despotisms OF Europe,
or among the free republic Of North Amerlca,
are properly, liberty, and lie the most secure =
Let history reply.
Gentleasea Of The Senate,
und ofthe House Of Representatives
To you is committed, for the time being, the
character of the the Commonwealth, whose leg
islators you Judicious legislation Is an efil-
Gent means OF advancing the interests OF her cItl-
zens at home, and OF gaining the respect OF her
sister states, and OF wise and good men all over
the world | know 1t will be your pleasure to do
any thing in your power to accomplish @n object
so worthy OF he places which you I'LL, and OF the
constituents who have invested you with author
ity. We are elected to the offices which we
hold by the votes OF our fellow citizens, organ
ICED into political parties. But here have but
one party 10 serve, and that is the whole Com
monwealth. That public officer best serves his
party, who serves the Commonwealth best. Our
duty, as magistrates and Legislators is SO impress
sIvely set forth in that Constitution, which, before
Heaven and in the presence oil our tellow-citl-
Zens, we have taken upon ourselves the oblg cation
to obey that it is useful and proper often 10 recur
to its suggestions and Instructions. That instru-
ment declares, that ''l shall be the duty OF eg!s-
latures and magistrates, in all future periods OF
this Commonwealth, to cherish the interests CT
literature and the sciences, and all seminaries
public schools, and grammar schools, IN the towns;
to encourage private societies and pubic insttu-
tons, rewards and immunties for the promotion
OF agriculture, arts, and sciences, commerce,
trades, manufactures, and natural history OF the
country; to countenance and inculcate the prln-
cipIes OF humanity and general benevoIence,
public and private charity, industry and frugality
honesty ana punctuality in all their dealings.
sincerity good humor, and all social afec ton and
generous sentiments among the people,
1t is the duty of all those entrusted with the
high functions OF making laws, to guard against
all unwise and unnecessary Legislation. The
Commonw ealth should be protected from the ex-
penditure OF the public money for extravagent
or questionable purposes. But, Tor advancing
the lofty, beneicent, and virtucus objects, EN-.
Joined upon her Legislators and magistrates in the
language OF the Constitution, which have read
| would see her make appropriations with the
liberality OF wise and munihcent parent for the
children that he loves. Guided by wisdom from
above, may the result of your deliberations meet
the appreciation OF your constituents, and be BEN
eicial to the Commonwealth
Governor Briggs occupied about fifty minutes
in the delivery OF his message. and the Conven.
ton, at quarter before two o'clock, dissolved,
On motion of Mr.. Freeman OF Boston, the
House, at two O'Clock, adjourned.