Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1853-09-26

At the Free Democratic State Convention, held
at FitchbUrg, Thursday, Sept. Is 1858.

speech of John L. Swift, Esq.s
At the Free Democratic State Convention, held
at FitchbUrg, Thursiag, Sept. Is 1853
Reported for the Commonwealth
iremble Tor myself, while attempting to speak
TO men who have just listened TO
who is eloquent not only in his speech, but
whose life is eloquent with services those great
causes in which humanity is so deeply interested.
[Hearty applause Allow me, sir, addressing Mr.
Miami as a representative Of the young Free De-
mocracy, to express the joy that feel in meeting
you to day [Cheers.l Sir, you have been escort
ed 70 ibis hall. noi perhaps, with all the glory
gliuering display which signalized the uriumpha
march OF the Roman conqueror, but you have been
escorted hee by hundreds Of the ieemen of Massa.
chusetts, you former iellow-citizens, who will
entertain for you the highest esteem and the warm
est affection. LCheers And, sir, as we are about
to bid you Kind farewell, ASK you to beaI greet
lngs from the Free Democracy Of Massachusetts
the Free Democracy of Ohio. GCheers.l Tell
them that We oil this Commonwealth will strive long
and earnestly, 10 be the banner State of freedom
[cheers but II we ever yield the palm, it will he
only to the Young Giant of the west-lhe gallant
buckeyes beyond the Aleghanies. Continued
cheers) Gentlemen OF the Convention, this is the
third time that have attended our annual State
gatherings. The first, by lis numbers and enthusi.
aSni gave me an Idea oil the strength and spirit OF
our party; the second like unto il; and now
comes this tremendous unpouring of our forces, ma.
king one oil the gld0ueSt ana oil the
hosts OF freedom that ever stood 'sde Ivy side, or
shoalder shoulder in tae great baue Of rgh.
and liberty, against mig hit aad slavery. (Appause.)
AND let me ask what charm 1t is that has been at
work to collect such an army OF reemen in this beau
liul place? What has caused our towns and villa
gPS TO send up here many of their nhabants?-
Why has the mechanic closed his workshop. the
merchant iorsaken his counting house, the lawyer
vacated his Office the student forgotten his task The
farmer left his harvestS ungarnered, and all come
here TO make up this great harvest of Free Democ
racy? (Cheers.) And wha; magic is it that has
filled all our hearts with a living glow, has awak.
ened such ardo, and made lis feel assured of an
approaching victory! (Chees.)
Ii is The charm and the magic Of liberty. The
same influence which inspired the tongue OF Oils,
which has filed The souls Of three generations of
Adamses, which nerved tho arms of our buried pat
rOls-it IL the irresistible love Of liberty (lcarty
applause.) And while this earth remains the love
Of liberty for ourselves, and Tor all mankind will find
home IN the hearts OF the and daug hters of
Massachusetts. (Cheers.) We are here to-day
obedient to the call of humanity we are here to tell
the country that we Lore that it must cease It's con
neciion with a crime that hate. Enthusiastic
applause) We are here because on the broad sa
vannahs OF the South, under the heart of burning
sur, three millions OF our fellow beings are bending
beneath an oppressor's rod and masters absolute
power. Friends, the longer | live as a freeman--
the more enjoy the privileges Of lreedom-the more
ardenly do desire that It's blessings should extend
10 every CLINE, and be shared by all the races of
men. (Cheers.)
Are there any here who have grown Iisess, or in
different TO the cause OF Free Democracy? ANY who
begin TO doubt or wayer? If so. | would imnIore
such one tto suppicate for IA re.bapsm in The canse
of freedom, and learn again the GREAT truths nC the
gospel OF liberty. Let remember that slavery is
10 less crime against God and man than ever be.
fore 1t has lost none of its horrid characteristics
slave IS no less cruel The fetter around his limbs no
less calling, the DEGRADATION of humanity to = cond
ton with The brute no less crimnaI ar holdino Gnd,
image as property no less sinful than il has ever
been Indeed. Sc far from this beino trne. ,he ou;I
OF slavery grows bhcker, its inlamY becomes more
damuinn, with every added day of Christian civil
cation (CheersA Have we f,rootten the Gng;,;yo
slave law of lS5O-beside which The edirIs of das2
potic Europe and pagan Asia seem mild and bnmaneq
mol noN Or have we become so accustomed +,
see men and women thrus, hack into slavery thu, mr.
INDIGNATION can no LONGER be roused or 1nr he,r,s
made susceptIEle of pitv? mol nnN
Ih,.t h,,ul. :, ;'-:.i
., ,,,r io nuln"h ingenuity
81 hnr., II ,;,h -. =" ANY nSw
w,bir week in the Stste of PenaIrInn"ia but ou.
49, - - ~ ,'o - VI e'lsS '''''d' mere
.,ardi, L,,G, 1 - t; ~ 10" 'l'
Inc served with economy and decomm na,,' If
men. without being CHARGED with anv crime W.: h.,
these men, assaulted with fendish violence And
when he had overcome his assailans, and sought
ior refuge in neghboring river, determined TO die
rather than be taken, shot alter shot was fred at
him, without provocaliou and without authority. I'M
Ill the blood from his wounds mingled with the
waters Of he Susquehanua. ('Shame! shamep')
Think Of thai, citizens Of Republican America!-
Hereafter seatch no among The annals of the
past for ign0be and hearlless deeds; but when YOU
would tell a tale that will make the blush of shame
mantle your cheeks, say that five of your own coun
trymen, from the banks OF an American river, aimed
their instruments Of death at the head oil an unarmed
and defenceess negro, whose only crime as that he
loved and sought for liberty. (Sensalion)
Are such things 10 continue forever! Il is not
enough that we have seen fathers torn from their
families never more to return, and men that we
have known and respected as citizens, carried into
bondage, from which there is no release till death
,,l s,.q,. H..