New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-05-17
NETWORK TRIBUNE.


Charles ssmDer's Letter OF Acceptance.
FoLu Cissns e tie Saafs asa H.sss ef Rspysssafsss
have received BY the hands Of the Secretary
OF the Commonwealth. certificate, that BY con.
current votes Of the two branches Of the Lesisls.
la,ure, namely, BY the Senate on the ssd day Of
Jspuary. ard by the House OF Representatives,
on the s4,h day Of April, WAS duly elected IN
conformity to tie provisions Of the Constitution
and Laws u the United States, Senator to rep
resent tire Commonwealth of N0sschusens IN
the Senate Of Ihe United States for the term OF
ak years, commencing on the ish day OF March,
ISL
Ii were TO follow toe customary course
should receive this In silence Bat the protrscted
ard unprecedented contest which ended in my
election; the interest Il awakened. the impor-
tance universally conceded to IL the ardor of OPP
position, and the consistency OF support which IL
aroused $50 the principles which. more than
ever before among Us, Il Drought into discussion,
seen 70 justify, what my oSn feelings irresistibiy
prompt. departure from this rale. II, beyond
these considerations, any apology be needed for
thus directly addressing the Legislature may
bnd It in the example OF AL illusnioQs predeces-
scr. whose clear and venerable name will be
sufficient authority.
The trust conferred upon me il one OF the most
weishty which = citizen can receive IL con-
Germs the gTsndest interests of our own Common
wealth, and also of the Union, whereof We are
an inoissoluble part. Like every post OF emil.
nent duty. II is post OF eminent honor. A per
sons ambition, such &c cannot confess, might
be Satisfied to possess IT, But when L think OF
what IL requires, | am obliged TO say, that it,
honors are all eclpsed IN my sight by It's duties.
Your appointment finds me in private sta-
tion, with which l AN entirey content Bat this
is not all. For the first time in my life, am now
called 20 political office. With none OF the ex.
perience, so amply possessed by others, 10 smooth
the way Of labor, might well hesitate. Bat am
cheered by the generous confidence, which,
throughout heightened contest persevered in
sustaining ME. and BY the conviction, that amid
all seeming differences Of party, the sentiments,
Of which am the known advocate, and which
led to my original selection as a candidate, are
dear to the hearts Of large majority Of the peo-
pie of this Commonwealth. | derive, also q most
grateful consciousness OF personal independence
from the circumstance, which deem IL frank and
proper thus publicly to declare and place on re-
cord, that this office comes to me, unsousht 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 20 tri-
umph through me, now acceP, the post OF SEN
ator.
accept il as the servant OF Massachusetts
mindful OF the sentiments solemnly uttered by
her successive legislatures, Of the genius which
inspires her history aud OF the men, her perpet.
uaI pride and ornament, who breathed into her
that breath Of Liberty which early made her an
example to her sister States. In such service
the way, though new to my footsteps, will be IL
Illuminated by lights which cannot DO missed.
accept IL as the servant Of the 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 10 held In
frsterns company, and to oppose all seeftosaiispsD
whether it appear In unconstitutional efforts by
the North 70 carry so great boon as freedom into
the Slave States, or In unconstitutional efforts BY
thu South, aided by Northern allies, TO carry the
sectional evil Of Slavery into the Free S,ates--or
in whatsoever efforts il may make to extend the
sectional domination OF Slavery over the National
Government. With me the Union 10 twice
blessed-frst az the powerful guardian OF the re-
pose and happiness OF thirty one sovereign States
casped by the endearipg name OF Country, and
next, as the model and beginning OF that all en-
bracng federation of States, by which Unity,
Peace and Concord will finally be organized
among the Nations; nor do believe Il possible
whatever may be the delusion Of the hour, that
any part thsrsnf csn he perm los, from its
well compacted bulk. n Piuribus UHuss 10
stamped upon the National coin, the National ter
ritory, and the National heart. Though composed
Of many parts. united into one the Union 10 separ
able only by crash which shall destroy the
whole.
Entering now upon the public service. | venture
to bespeak for what may do or say that candid
Judgment, which | trust always TO extend to
others, bat which, | AN well aware, the preju-
dices Of party too rarely oopcede. | may fail In
ability; but not In sincere efforts To promote the
general veal In the conflicts OF opinion natQrai
10 the atmosphere OF liberal institutions, l may
err; but / trust never to forget the prudence,
which should temper frmEess, or the modssty
which becomes the consciousness OF right III
decline to recognize a. my guides any OF the men
of to day. shall feel safe. while follow the mas
ter principles which the Union vas established TO
secure, and lean for support the great triumvi-
rate Of American Freedom-W ashington. Frank
lin and Jefferson. Aud since true politics are
simply morals applied to public affairs, shallfnd
constsn t assistance from those everlasting rules
Of right and wrong, which are Law alike 10 IN
diyduals and communities; nay, which constrain
the Omnipotent God in selfimposed bonds.
Let me borrow, In conclusion, the language OF
another:
Isee nv duty that OF Standing up for the liberty Of my
country and whatever dificulhes and seoufsgsmenis
Being who has not lefl 10 us The choice OF dulles ma
while shall eonseientousy disehsrge mine, shall not
finally lose ny reward"
These are the words OF Washington, uttered In
the early darkness Of the American Revolution.
The rule Of duty 10 the same for the lowly and
the great; ard hope 1t may not seem presomp-
tuous in one so humble as myself TO adopt bis do
termination, and to syow bis confidence.
Ihaye tde honor TO be, feoweinzens
With sincere rrgsrd,
Your faithful friend and :erv,nt
BostOn, May IA, 1851 CHARLES SUMNER