Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1850-12-26
Speech Of Geo. Il. Curtis, Esq.

MIR Chairman and gentemen-It is one of
the most striking of the privileges created by
the union of these different States into great
country, that citizen of one of these commu-
mites can stand with proprlety IN an assembly
of citizens of another of them, and speak of
the common dangers, duties and obligations,
which concerns them all. Valuelng this privl-
lege, | hope, as II ought to be valued, when
told that 1t was In my power 10 say what
might be thought wortny of attention, at this
meeting, did not hesitate, short as the notice
was, TO acccde to the request of your commit
tee, and to present myself before you to-
night.
But, gentlemen, certainly was not prepar-
ed to find an assembly of a character SO I'M
portant and Impressive, as this meeting is des-
tined to be. | did not know that it was to be
the first of these popular meetings held in the
cause of the Union, at which the Chief Magls
trate of State should feel it to be his duty
to aid that cause by his example, hls counte-
nance and his voice. Permit me 10 say, gen
temen, that this act of your Governor,ln lend
ing to this meeting the Influence of his high
station and his high character, will be hailed
throughout the country,as most happy omen.
1t Is not for me TO tender thanks In your behalf
to his EXcelency, Gov. Hubbard, Tor his pres
ence on tins occasion but If may be pre-
sumo TO speak from that interest which every
citizen of this country must feel IN the action
of this IN. etIng, may respectfully tender to
him the expression of my own thanks, and of
tae deep interest witt which | listened to the
remarks he has just made. Your Judiciary,
also, although absent, have caused themselves
10 be heard here tonight, III support OF the
Constitution and the laws. And after the time
has been occupied, which courtesy has assign
ed to stranger, many of your most eminent
citizens, some of whom have served you and
have served the country, with honor, both at
bone and abroad, are TO give their voices to
the same great cause.
AT the last session of Congress, as we are
all but too we'll aware, certain great measures
Of paciticatlon between different sections of
this Union, after long and protracted strug-
gle, which seemed likely to rend 1t asunder,
we're enacted INTO iatcS. The excitement which
attended the discussion of those subjects, was
not confined to the walls Of Congress. The
whole nation partook OF 1t, and the Whole ma
ton felt and still feel its effects. The deep
anxiety which il caused was not confined to
our own land. 1t extended over Europe
wherever there was an American to be found,
and wherever there existed an Intelligent friend
of America, eager ior the latest intelligence,
and sorrowiug for any cause that threatened
the stability of our great republic. lou,gen-
tlemen, most of you, endured this anxiety at
home. 1t was my misfortune to have endured
1t abroad-and let me say, that there Is any
| thing mortifylng to an American IN foreign
land, it Is the contemplation Of the sectional
quarrels of our country. Yes, more than this,
| will say. Ii there Is anything IN this world,
bitterly sad, 1t Is the contemplation, in a for
eign land. of the possibility that, through such
controversies, one may ceise to have coun-
try, TO which to return. To feel, day by day,
that one may have to lay down, in shame aud
sorrow, what Washington called "that great
central name of an AMEKIcAN;" to know that
the wide Atlantic rolls between US and home,
ana to think that before it can be crossed, the
nag OF our country may have become a torn
and unmoaning rag, without efficacy to pro-