Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-05-22
Summers Acceptance.

The following beautiful letter of acceptance,
from Mr.. Sumner, of the office to which he has
recently been elected, has appeared since our
Iast =
Fello,O citizens Of the Senate and House OF Rep
reSeRtdtlueS:
have received by the hands of the secretary
of the Commonwealth certificate, that by the
concurrent votes of the two branches OF the
Legislature, namely, by the Senate on the 22d
day of January, aud by the House OF Represent
tatlves, on the gath day OF April, | was duly
elected, in conformity to the provisions OF the
Constitution and laws Of the United States, for
the term of six years, commencing on the 4th
CAV of March, 1851.
If were to follow the customary course, l
should receive this in silence. But the ro.ract-
ed and Unprecedented contest, which ended in
INV election; the interest 1t awakened the i'm
portance universally conceded to 1t; the ardOr
Of opposition, and the constancy OF support
which 1t aroused; also the principles, which,
more than ever before among US, 1t brought into
discussion, seem to justify, what my own feel
lngs irresistibly prompt, departure flom this
rule. u beyond these considerations any apol-
ogy be needed for thus directly addressing The
Legislature, | may find it IN the example OF an
illustriUns predecessor, whose clear and venera-
Bile 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
Commonwealth, and also of the Union, whereof
we are an indlssolube part. Like every post
OF eminent duty, it is post OF eminent honor.
A personal ambition, such as cannot confess,
| H. ed pnt I
think Of what it requires, am obliged 10 say,
that Its honors are all eclipsed in my sight by
its duties.
Your appointment finds me in private sta
ton with which am entirely content But this
is not all. For the first time in my life, | am
now called to political office. With none of
The experience, so amply possessed by others,
to smooth the way to labor, | might well hest
tate. But am cheered by the generous conf
dence, which, throughout heightened contest,
persevered in sustaining me, and by the con-
victim, that amidst all seeming differences of
party, the sentiments, OF which am the known
advocate, and which led to my original seec-
ton as a candidate, are dear to the hearts OF a
large majority of the people of this Common-
wealth derive also most grateful conscious
ness of personal independence from the Clrcum-
stance, 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 10
the service OF her sons wherever they choose
to place them, and with heart lull of gratitude
that sacred cause has been permitted to tri.
umph through me, now accept the post of
Senator.
accept it as the servant Of Massachusetts,
mindful of the sentiments soemnly uttered by
her successive legislatures; of the genius which
inspires her history and Of the men, her perpet-
ual 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 foo steps, will be it,
Illuminated by lights which cannot be missed.
] accept it as the servant of the Union, bound
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 those
ties by which our fellowship Of States is held
IN fraternal company; and to oppose all section
Gh9m, whether it appear in unconstitutional CT
forts ny the North to carry so great boon as
Freedom into the slave States, or in ulconslitu-
lional efforts of 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 denomination OF
Slavery over the National Government. With
me the Union is twice blessed first as the pow
eriul guardian of the repose and happiness Of
thirty one sovereign States, clasped by the en-
dearng name of country and next, as the mod
ell and beginning of that all embracing Fedora
ton of States, by which unity, peace and con-
cord will finally be organized among the nations
Nor do believe it possible, whatever may be
the deusion of the hour, that any part thereof
can be permanently lost from its well compacted
bulk. e PturibuS Imam is stamped upon the
national coin, the national territory, and the ma
tional heart. Though composed Of many parts
united into one, the Union is seperable only by
crush, 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 amwe aware the preju-
dces OF party too rarely concede. | may fail
III ability but not in sincere efo IS 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 6rmness, or the
modesty which becomes the consciousness OF
right.
1t decline to recognize as my guides any
OF the men Of to day, | shall feel safe, while
follow the master principles VIII oh the Union
was established to secure, and lean for support
on the great triumvrate of American Freedom,
Washington, Franklin and jefferson. And