Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1851-05-20

NJ The initials of the following article VIII
ognized as those Of John G. Whittier, whose counsel
is ALWAYS highly valued by every friend Of Freedom
Il is from the National Era.
Hon. Robert RantOul, Jr.
The speec Of this gentleman at the democratic CohVen
tion held Lynn just before the late rial lur me
Of member of Congress in the vacant dslets Ill
setts has excl ed great deal Of alteration, not only on
account of the signal ability with which II discusses .he
or eat questions of the day. but because of the indication
which affords of the popular current Wllch i "ouns
against Tie Fugitive Slave law. 1t is not merely the op-
ion of individual Democracy speaking ihrousl he
lips of the ables and distinguished democrat OF New
Eng and condemns that law unconstitutional ana mhu
man. and demands its total repeal 1t is hltg hat suc
should be her mou'hpece Ills speech Is precisely
such as we had right expect from him. Unlike 100
many of the prominent politicians OF both parties, ne mas
never degraded himself by any unmany concessions 10 e
powers and he has not heretofore been found IN the
of the opponents OF slavery he has at least the merit
of refusing under temptations, inuences winch Jew nave
resisted, 10 place any obstacle in Their way or uer as
gle word of discouragement. Ills smpathes
alway the right SIDE needed but stimulus oil great
OCCASION like the enacm nj OF the Fugitive slave law 10
become enough press into their service all the
powers of his intellect the vast resources oil his learning
and his well earned political influence He has therefore,
occasion for retacons evasons or uncomfortable ex-
plantations II takes no new ground. lie condemns no
previously uttered opinion He comes to the advocacy Of
freedom with clean hands, and whether viewed as poh
clan lawyer, has better right to ylndlcate
Law and democracy against the rroach ana shame OF the
deestable enactment in question, than himself lie has
never been able to any necessary connection DetWeel
slavery and democracy and has hestated TO express
his opinion the Executive Legislative and Judica
wheels of the General Government would run quite al
smoothly free slave territory In brief ne hal
been IN favor of the abolition of slavery where it exists un
der the legislation of Congress- As many as ten or twelve
ago. vigant venerable editor fthe Richmond
Enquirer read him lecture for ventHring TO sa
some hing OF this sort letter to some OF his rlends
The Virgnlan great Stckler for the of Jefer
SOM his complaint against Rantou that the latter wa
equally strenuous in the support OF Jeersons principles
The Democracy of Massachusetts will sstand by Rober
Rantoul He has been for the last fifteen years their
tual power his learning and eloquence They regard hin
as far safer constitutional expounder than the father
the Fugitive Slave law The Pennsy lvanan and othe
slave democratic papers, which attempting read hin
out of the democratic family would do well look at tn
result of the late trial for Congressional election in ti
district Before that trial made, his bold and mani
argument sganst the Fugitive Slave Law had been place
in the hands of all Of the district. Everybod
knew his pOsition-that he had repudiaed Hunkeris
Slavery, and had sed his powerful voice in favor Of tn
repeal Of the Fugitive Law The Boston Post the organ
the miserable remnant of serve Democrats in MASSACRE
sets, withdrew his name from its columns candid
for Congress- Every effort made by Hunkers, OIL
parties, to prejudice the masses Of his old ca fri
against him. Under those circumstances the trial
made, and his increased by hundreds andI
umphant election at the trial rendered morally m
We have known Robert RantUul well for many -
Always progressive, yet with slower steps than vi
have wished, he has at last planted his foot upon ,
form of the great free party which is destined the
in every State of the Union. Cool, cautious anGo IA
has assured himself Of the impregnable strengtun- m
stion, and may well laugh to the thre,tsl sa
Citations CT those who read, in this bold mover own
gaciods and Er-seng statesman, the prophecy w.
discontinue and ruin. II