Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1851-05-23

nor how in after days, William Carter often
gathered his grand children around his knee,
and told them of his bitter trial and tempta-
tons, and taught them, that they who put their
trust in God are never forsaken.
The following letter of acceptance from Mr..
Sumner, we find in yesterdays Boston papers :
Fc'lo,c Citi-ens of the Senate and House Of
Representatives:
have received by the hands Of the secretary
of the Commonwealth certificate. that, by
concurrent votes of the two branches OF the
Legislature, namely, by the Senate on the 22d
day of January and, by the House Of Represen-
tat,ves, on the oath dav OF April, | was duly
elected, in conformity to tie provisions OF the
Constitution aud Laws Of the United States, for
the term of six years, commencing on the 4th
Gay of March, 1851.
If ] were to follow the customary course
should receive this in silence. But the protrac-
I ted and unprecedented contest, which ended in
my election; the interest it awakened the i'm
portance universally conceded to it the ardor
of opposition, and the constancv of support
which it aroused also the principles, which,
more than ever before among us, it brought into
discussion, seem to justify, what my own feel
rule. If beyond these considerations, any apol-
ogy be needed for thus directly addressing the
Legislature, may find it in the example of an
! iIusrrious predecessor, whose clear and vener-
able name will be a sufficient authority.
The trust conferred upon me is one OF the
most weighty which citizen can receive. It
concerns the grandest interests OF our own
Commonwealth, and also of the Union, whereof
| IVA n inIi pl nh 10
of eminent duty, it is post of eminent honor
A personal ambition, such as cannot con-
fess, might be satisfied to possess it. But
when | think Of whatit requires, am obliged
to say, that its honors all eclipsed in my
sight by its duties.
Your appointment finds me in a private sta
ton with which | am entirely colent. But this
is not all. For the first time in nv life, am
now called 10 political office. With none of
the experience, so amply possessed by others,
to smooth the way to labor. | might well hesi-
tate. But | am cheered by the generous cofi-
dence, which. throughout heightened contest
per>eSered in sustaining me, and by the con-
vcton that amidst all seeming differences of
party. the sentiments, of which am the known
advocate, and which led to my original selec-
ton as candidate, are dear to the hearts OF a
large majority of the people of this Common
wealth. ! derive also a most grateful con-
seriousness Of personal independence from the
Circumstance, which deem it frank and proper
thus publicly to declare and place on record
that this ohce comes % me, nnsought and un-
desired
Acknowledging the right of my country &c
the service OF her sons wherever they choose
10 place them, and with heart full Of gratitude
that sacred cause has been permitted 10 tr
~, | 81
Senator.
I | accept it as the servant of Massachusetts,
mindful of the sentiments solemnly uttered BY
her successive legislatures; of the genius which
inspires her history; and of the men, her perpetu.
al pride AMI ornament who breathed into he
that breath Of Liberty. which early made
her an example to her Sister States. In such
a service the way, though new to my foot steps
viii he illuminated by lights which cannot bt
missed.
accept it as the servant of the Urion, bount
to study and maintain, with equal patriotic care
the interests OF all parties of our country to dis
countenance every effort to loosen any of thost
ties by which our fellow ship of States is bel,
in fraternal company and to oppose all section
dhSm, whether 1t appear in unconstitutional ci
forts by the North TO carry so great boon a.
Freedom into the slave States, or in uncon
! stitutlonal efforts OF the South, aided BY North
ern allies TO carry the sectional evil of SLAYER,
into the Free States, or in whatsoever eff ,rts /
may make TO extend the sectional Denomination
| of Slavery over the National Government
/ With me the Union is twice blessed first A,
the powerful guardian OF the rcpose and happi-
| ness OF thrty-one sovereign States. casped b,
the endearlng name OF country and next, a,
the model and beginning of that all embracne
EN,An ,,fS l,,, l., ,Sk.
concord will finally be organized among the
nations Nor do | believe it possible, what
ever may be the delusion of the hour, that an,
part thereof can be permanently lost from its
well compacied bulk T. Piuribw Cnum i.
stamped upon the national coin, the nationa
territory, and the national heart. Thougt
composed OF many parts united into one; the
Union is separable only by crash which shal
destroy the whole.
Entering now upon the public service, ven
ture TO bespeak for what may do or say tina
candid Judgment, which trus. always to ex
tend to others, but | am well aware the preI
dces OF party too rarely concede | may lal
in ability; but not in sincere efiorts to promote
; the general veal. In the conflicts of opinion,
natural to the atmosphere OF liberal institution,
may err; but trust never 10 forget the pru
dence which should temper frmness, or tn,
modesty which becomes the consciousness o
right
, If decline to recognize as my guides an,
, OF the men of to-day, shall feel safe, while
, follow the master principles which the Uniol
! was established to secure, and lean for supper
on the great trumvirate of American freedom
= Washington, Franklin and Jefferson. An,
Z since true politics are simply morals applied t,
public atldjrs, shall lind constant as assstanc,
: from those everlasting rules of right and wrong
d which are a law alike to individuals and coul
e mUntles; nay, which constraiu the nnnlpv
tent God IN self mpas touIt.