Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1852-01-30


ed one of its secretaries The organization of the
society was proceeded with. A constitution was
adopted, the second article of which defined the
objects of the society, which was declared to be
''the entire removal Of slavery from the United
States" [Great laughter
[Cries of "Read it!'' "Read it!''1
Mr. r. | cannot undertake to read all to which
refer, but the committee will be satisfied with
extracts, for there will be large number which
| shall read.
1t was pretty large undertaking for young
man, but young men are always ambitious and
sangulne. But it seems in 1885, my colleague
undertook the entire abolition of slavery in the
United States Of America. Renewed laughter. !
confess that it is somewhat more than should
have felt myself called upon to perform in the
county of Franklin, in the year 1885. If had
felt tendency that way, an inward call to that
mission, should have placed the bounds of my
ambition within decidedly narrower limits
The third article of that constitution pledges
the members to ''abor for the abolition ofsavery
in the District of Columbia, and in the territories
ofthe Union, by all constitutional means'' A
resolution adopted at that meeting, declares that
"slaveholdlng, as it exists in the United States,
is SIN, and ought at all times to be regarded and
treated as such.f And another resolution de-
cares what my Southern flends v i'll be glad to
emancipation would be without danger TO the
white population [Great laughter] OF the
society thus formed, George T. Davis was elect
ed Treasurer.
do not know why else she is made 10 bear the
sins OF all the other States-why else she is 10 be
the Escape goat for all the other coalitions in
the United States. Are not we in Massachusetts
at liberty to Judge of our political position,
and political course, well as getemen in Mis-
souri,, or Wisconsin, or Ohio, or in New York, OF
anywhere else in the United States-ln Missis-
sippl or in Georgia, or any other State! Is it so
clear that in any section of the country-.East,
West, North, South, or central-is it, | say, so
clear that gentlemen, who call themselves by the
same party name, agree upon these very ques-
tons? Is it so clear that, in South Carolina or
Alabama, or Mississippi, the Democrats all agree
about this fugitive slave bill? Do not some of
them say thatit is constitutional, and Others tina
it it is unconstitutional? Do not some propose one
course of action, and others precisely the oppo-
site course of action with regard to it? Yet day
after day, with an insolence countenanced by her
own sons, Massachusetts is denounced upon this
floor, and no other State but Massachusetts,
State having right equal TO that Of any other
sovereign State in this Conlederacy, 10 DIT termine
what she considers right and proper, and what
course she deems best to pursue in her own do
mestic affairs, and for her own good government.
Why, the gentleman from North Carolina Mr..
StanIy thinks he would not 20 TO heaven with
Democrats like those of Massachusets-he could
not bear to tread the path. Sir, he has
not lrod our path heretofore, and we therefore
had no reason to expect his company in the
straight and thorny way at this time; but because
he refuses to join us, shall not the less firmly
press on; and not the less safely arrive at our
journeys end.
Massachusetts, | say, has the same right to
manage her political affairs, in her own
way, with that ofany other State in this Union.
And she has not only the same right but she has
the same ability, energy, and determination, TO
maintain that right with any other State. and she
will maintain it at home and abroad.
But am not going TO take my stand behind
the dignity ofthe State of Massachusetts, and say
that she does what she pleases, and she will not
give an account of whnt she does. | stand ready
here to-day--what have never done before in
public, and what | would not do now, if did not
feel particularly clear and particularly free from
doubt that am doing right in what am doing
to endorse the coalition in Massachusetts. | be-
lieve understand what it was, and what it did,
though was not present at the time it was en-
tered into. was in the State ofIllinos. But af-
ter my return, heard what had been done, and
am now in the condition of an impartial looker-on,
and being thus free to take my own course, | can
say, and do say, that think il was emnentIy
wise and patriotic in the majority of the people
of that State to take the government Of the State
out of the hands of the minority, however un-
pleasant to the minority that proceeding may be.
Before proceeding to discuss the pTopriey of
that mo- ement, and of the mastery combination
by which it was made, let me, however inquire,
for moment, who it is that makes the charge of
corruption against the coalition in Massachusetts?
My colleague from the sixth district Mr.. Davis
undertakes to read lectures to the Democracy and
Free Soil party because they act together in Mas
sachusetts. That is ALL He has not impeached
them for their acts, but only for their concurrence
in those acts. He has not singled out any one
act of those parties except that Of acting togeth-
er. That he considers a violation Of political
principles. have right to presume that all
our great measures were right, only that it was
wrong for us first to agree to do wright, and then
to do it. He has not accused US Of voting for
any law or any resolution, but he has accused us
of appointing men to office. He has not accused
US of appointing bad men. He has not said that
the offices are not better filled now than they
were when the Wings were in power. If he had,
should take issue with him upon that PROPOSE
ton. He has not designated one single act of
these parties, but he has designated this coalition
itself and per Sc as offensive 10 his political
sibiities.