The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1850-05-07

action. have believed that the Common
wealth of Massachusetts would support her
representatives in that course. | have be.
lieved that the general sentiment Of the
whole country would favor and encourage
their efforts to this cnd and have the sat
isfacton now to believe. that. in that hope,
shall not be disappointed. Cheers How
ever that may be, that effort ] shall repeat.
Renewed cheering. In that course Of pa
ciication | shall perseycre, regardless OF all
personal consequences. Three cheers. |
shall minister to no local ptejudices. | shall
support no agitations having their founda-
tions in unreal, ghostly distractions. Laugh
ter and cheers. | shall say nothing which
may foster the unkind passions, separating
the North from the South. May my tongue
cleavc TO the rooi OF my mouth, before II
may utter any sentiment which shall increase
the agitation in the public mind on such
subject. Cheers.
Sir, have said that this is not an occa-
sion for political discussion. | confess that
! if the time and circumstances gave an on
portunity should not be indisposed to ad.
dress the people of Massachusetts, directly
upon the duty which The present exigences
Of affairs have dcvoved upon her-upon this
great and glorious Commonwealth ! Upon
the duty, at least, which it devolves upon us,
who represent her in the National Lcgisla-
ture. shall have occasion. in my seat in
the Senate, TO which shall Immediately re-
turn, to give my opinions upon some topics
of an Interesting character-topics, in regard
to some Of which there exists both mls-stale-
ment-the greatest misrpprehcnsion, cspe-
cially so far as am concerned. may sim.
| ply mention ono Of these. 1t is the question
respecting the delivery of fugitive slaves
from service. With regard TO that question
there exist the greatest prejudices-the great
est misapprehensons. | do not wonder at
these misapprehensons. | am well aware
that this is topic which must excite preiu
dices can very well feel what the preju-
dices are, which must naturally start up in
the minds OF the good people of this Com
monwcalth. But, Nj. Curtis and gentle.
men, there are in regard to that topic duties
absolutely incumbent on the Commonwealth
duties imposed by the Conslltution-abso-
lutely incumbent on every person who holds
Office IN massachusetts, under her own Con-
stltution ana laws, or under those oil the ma
ton. She is bound and those persons are
bound 10 the discharge oil duty dlsa-
greeablc duty we call upon her 10 DIS
charge Mat duty as an ALTAR OF high morals
and high principles. We ask her to resolve
upon the performance OF duty, though it be
a disagrceable duty. ANY man can perform
an agreeable duty-it is not every man who
can perform adisagreeable duty. Any man
can do what is altogether pleasant The
question is whether sachusetts-whether
the old state Of Massachusetts-improvedb by
two centuries Of civilization-renowncd for
her intellectual character-mighty in her
moral power-conspicuous before the world
"a leading state in this county, ever since
1t was country-a leading state in the I'M
ion, ever since i, was Union tile qucs-
ton is, whether Massachusetts, will shrink
from or will como up to a fair and reasonable
and moderate performance (aad no more
than fair and reasonable and moderate
periormance) of her sworn obligations.
think she will. Cheers
Sir, the question is, whether Massachu-
sets will stand to the truth, against iempa-
ton Whether she will be just, against
temptation Whether she will defend her
self against her own prejudices She has
conquered everything else in her time she
has conquered this ocean which washes her
shore she has conquered her own sterile
soil she has conquered her stern and inhex-
iblo climate she has fought her way TO the
universe. respect Of the world she has CON
quered everybody's prejudi, es but her own
The question now is,whether she will conquer
her own prejudiees ! shall return to the
Senate, TO put that question to her, in the
presence of that common mother, who shall
deal it to her heart. LCheers.
In the meantime, let me repeat that tread
no step backwards. Cheers am de>o,
ted to the restoration OF peace, harmony and
concord out of Congress and such degree
OF mutual cooperation IN Congress rs may