Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1851-06-07
Acceptance of Charles Samncr, Senator Elect
from Massachusetts,.
BosroN, May IA, 1851

SentGtIGeS:
| have received, by the hands of the Secretary
of the Commonwealth certificate that by con-
current votes of the two branches OF the Leglsla-
ture namely by the Seuate on the 22d OF January,
and by the House of representatives on gath day
of April | was duly elected, in conformity to the
provisions of the Constitution and laws Of the Uni
ted States Senator TO represent the Common
weelth of Massachusetts, in the Senate of the Uni
ted 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 protracted
and unprecedented contest which ended IN my
election--the interest it awakened-the Importance
universally conceded to 1.-THE ardor of opposition
and the constancy OF support which 1t aroused
also the principles. which, more than ever before
among u.s. it brought into discussion seem to JuStI-
fy what my own feelings irresstlbly prompt, de
parture from this rule. If, beyond these consider
atons, any apology be needed for thus directly
addressing the Legislature, | may find 1t IN the
example of an illustriouS predecessor, whose dear
and venerable name will be a sufficient authority.
The trust conferred upon me is of the most
weighty which a citizen can receive 1t concerns
the grandest interests of our own Commonwealth,
and also of the Union whereof an indlsso-
luble part. Like every post of eminent duty, 1t
is post of honor A personal ambition, such as
[ cannot confess, might be satisfied to possess it.
But when | think of what itrequlres, am obliged
to say that its honors all eclipsed in my sight
by its duties.
Your appointment finds me in private station,
with which | am entirel V 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
of labor, | might we'll hesitate. But am cheered
by the generous confidence which, throughout a
heightened contest, persevered IN sustaining me,
and by the conviction that amidst all seeming diff
ference of party, the sentiments OF which am
the known advocate, and which led to my original
selection as 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 l deem it frank and proper thus
publicly to declare and place on record, that this
office comes to me unsought and undesred.
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 sa-
cred cause has been permitted to triumph through
me, | now accept the pOss of Senator
| accept it as the servant of Massachusetts ;
mindful of the sentiments solemn y uttered by her
successive Legislatures, of the genius which in
spires her history; and of the men, her perpetual
pride and ornament, who breathed into her that
breath of liberty which early made her an exam
pie to her sister States. In such service the way
though to my footsteps, will be illumned 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 parts of our country; to discounte
nance every effort to loosen any of those ties by
which our fellowship of States is held in fraterna
company and to suppress all sectOnalism, wheth-
er it appear unconstitutional efforts by the North
to carry so great boon Freedom into the slave
States in unconstitutional efforts by the South,
aided by Northern allies, to carry the sectional
Hofc tbo Sto+a rb,+co
ever efforts it may make to extend the sectional
domination of slavery over the national govern
ment With me the Union is twice bessed-first,
as the powerful guardian of the repose and happi-
ness of thrtyone sovereign States, clasped by the
endearing name of country; and next, as the mo-
del and beginning of that all embracing Fedora
ton of States, by which unity, peace, and concord
will finally be organized among the nations. Nol
do [ believe it possible, whatever may be the de-
fusion of the hour, that any part thereof can be
permanently lost from its well-compacted bulk
Il Pturibus Ununa is stamped upon the natOna
coin, the national territory, and the national heart
Though composed of many parts united into one
the Union is separated 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
but which l am well aware the prejudices of party
too well cOncede l may fail in ability but mo-
in sincere efforts to promote the general veal. Ir
the conflicts of opinion natural to the atmosphere
of liberal institutions, may err; but trust never
to forget the prudence which should temper firm
ness, or the modesty which becomes the conscious
ness of right. If l decline to recognise as nv
guides any of the of to-day, [ shall feel safe
while L follow the master primer pies which the
Union was established to secure, and lean for sun
port on the great triumvirate of American Free
dom-W ashington, Franklin and Jefferson And
since the true politics are simply morals applied tC
public affairs, shall find constant assistance from
those everlasting rules of right and wrong which
are law alike to individuals and communities
nay, which constrain the Omnipotent God in self
composed bonds.
Let me borrow, in conclusion, the language O
another; 81 see my duty-that of standing up fo]
the liberty of my country; and whatever Difficult
ties and discouragements lie in my way dare no
shrink from it; and rely on that Being who ha,
not left to US the choice of duties, that whilst
shall conscientiously discharge mine, shall no
finally lose my reward" These are the words O.
Washington, uttered in the early darkness of the
American Revolution. The rule of duty is the
same for the lowly and the great and j hope il
may not seem presumptuous in one so humble a,
myself to adopt his determination and to avon
his confidence.
have the honor to be, fellow-citizens with sin
eere regard, your faithful friend and servant
CHARLES SUMNER.
N The American Bible Society held its 35tl
anniversary at the Tabernacle, on Thursday
Among the speakers were Rev Mr. RueI tho g.