The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-05-17
SOUTHERN PRESS.
WASHINGTON CITY.
SATURDAY, MAY II. 1851.


sER, accepting the seat Of senator for Massa-
chusetts Ii will be seen that he also is for the
Union, with as much zeal as any body. The
which they have in preserving the Union TO pro-
mote those schemes which have already been
so much advanced by its power. We are now
witnessing only repetition of the old strug-
Unionism-was at first predominant in most OF
the States, and when it had the sanction of the
reat name of WAsHIEGToN--a name, however,
hich with the other illustrious names that be-
onged to it, was not enough to save the party
nd its doctrine from total overthrow.
The alien and sedtion laws did not affect
one-tenth of the number of people, nor affect
rights at all approaching in importance to those
which have been outraged by the Compromise
acts Nor was the usurpation of power 80 OBJ
vous, or so fragrant, nor was the opposition at
first SO great
Fsllo,c Citizens of the Senate
and House Of Representatives.
have received by the hands of the Secretary
of the commonwealth certificate, that by con-
current votes of the two branches of the legis-
lature, namely, by the Senate on the 22th day
of January, and, by the House of Representa-
tives, on the oath day of April, was duly cleo
ted, in conformity to the provisions of the Con-
stitution and laws Of the United States, a SEN
ator to represent the commonwealth of Massa-
chusetts in the Senate of tho United States for
the term OF six years, commencing on the 4th
day of March, 1851.
If were to follow the customary course |
should receive this in silence. But the protract
ed and unprecedented contest, which ended in
my election /; the interest it awakened the i'm
portance universally conceded to it; the ador
of opposition, and the consistency Of support
which it aroused; also the principles, which
more than ever before among US, it brought in.
to discussion, seem to justify, what my OWL
feelings irresistibly prompt departure from
this rule. If, beyond these considerations, any
apology be needed for thus directly addressing
the legislature | may find it in the example Of
an ilustrious predecessor whose clear and ven
cradle name will be sufficient authority.
The trust conferred upon me is one of the
most weighty which citizen can receive. 1t
concerns the grandest interests of our own com.
monwenlth, and also of the Union, whereof we
nre an indissolpble part Like every post of
eminent duty, it is post of eminent honor. A
personal ambition, such as | cannot confess,
might be satisfied to possess it. But when l
think of what it requires, am obliged to say,
that its honors are all eclpsed in my sight by its
duties.
Your appointment finds me in private station,
with which am entirely content. But this is
not all For the first time in my life, an now
called to political Office With none of the ex-
perence, so amply possessed by others, TO
9th tko of Labor I v,icht uan Of
But am cheered by the generous confidence
which, throughout n heightened contest, perse-
vered in sustaining me, and by the conviction,
that, admidst all seeming differences of party
the sentiments, of which am the known adv'
cate and which led to my original selection as
candidate are dear to the heart Of large major
ty Of the people of this commonwealth. | de.
rive also most grateful consciousness of per
sonal independence from the circumstance
which deem it frank and proper thus publicly
to declare and place on record, that this office
comes to me unsought and undesired.
Acknowledging the right of my country to
the service of her sons wherever she chooses to
place them, and with heart full of gratitude
that sacred cause has been permitted the
triumph through me, ! now accept the post of
senator.
accept it as the servant of Massachusetts /;
mindful of the sentiments solomnly uttered by
her successive legislatures; of the genius which
inspires her history; and of the men, her perpe.
tual pride and ornament, who breathed into her
that breath of liberty, which early made her an
example to her sister States In such a service
the way, though new to my footsteps, will be
illumne1 by lights which cannot be missed.
accept it as the servant ofthe Union bound
to study and maintain, with equal patriotic care,
the interests of all parts of our country to dis
countenance every effort to loosen any of those
ties by which our fellowship of States is held in
fraternal company; and TO oppose all sectional
ism, whether it appear in unconstitutional eff
forts by the North to carry so great boon as
freedom into the slave States, or in unconstitu-
tional efforts by the South, aided by Northern
allies to carry the sectional evil of slavery into
the free States or in Whatsoever efforts it may
make TO extend the sectional domination of slav-
cry over the national government. With me
the Union is twice blessed first rs the power
full guardian of the repose and happiness of
thirty-one sovereign States, casped by the en-
dearing name of country and next, as the model
and beginning of that all-embracing federation
of States by which unity peace and concord
will finally be organized among the nations.
Nor do believe it possible, whatever may be
the delusion of the hour, that any part thereof
can DE permanently IostIrom us Weii-conpacteu
bulk. T. Pluribus Unum is stamped upon the
national coin, the national territory and the ma
tiona heart Though composed of many parts
united into one, the Union is separabe only by
a crash which shall destroy the whole.
Entering now upon the public service, ven
ture to bespeak for what may do or say, that
candid Judgment which trust always to extend
to others, but which / am well aware the pre-
iudicps If marty too rarely concede. ! may fail
in ability; but not in sincere efforts to promote
the general veal. IN the conflicts of opinion
natural to the atmosphere of liberal institutions
may err but trust never TO forget the pru-
dence which should temper firmness, or the
modesty which becomes the consciousness OF
right If I decline to recognize as my guides
any of the men of to-day, ! shal feel safe
while follow the master principles, which the
Union. was established to secure, and lean for
support on the great trumvirate of American
frcedom-W ashington, Franklin, and Jefferson.
And since the true politics are simply morals mp
Piled to public affairs, shall find constant as
II "a