Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1853-01-15


| Gentlemen of the Senate, and
of tie House Of Representatives:
We enter upon the discharge of the honorable
| duties which have been respectively assigned 10
us by the favor and confidence Of our fellow-citi-
zens, at season of signal prosperity in public and
private affairs which calls for devout and grateful
| recognition of that benefcent Being, in whose
/ hands are the destinies of nations and of men.
| Nor should our gratitude for what He has given
! US TO be less fervent, when we reflect, as we can
not fall to do on an occasion like This, upon what
in His wisdom it has pleased Him 10 take away
The past year will be memorable IN our annals,
for the singular mortality which it has witnessed
among the distinguished men of the country, and
especially of our own Commonwealth. We have
been called TO unite with the bereaved circles Of
private friendship, in mourning the departure Of
those who have fallen in the midst of their abors
in the public service, and Of others who had re-
tired from various spheres of public duty, which
they had worthily and honorably filled. Ofthose
| who were in the immediate service of the State
| or the Nation, the names of Rantoul, of Fowler,
and Of Thompson, in our own congressional dele
gaiion-and of Henry Clay, whose fame belongs
not more TO Kentucky, than to the whole Union,
will readily suggest themselves to your minds.
Bat should do injustice to my own feelings,
and fail to meet your just expectations if did not
more particularly refer to the recent removal fiom
the public councils, we'll as from the largest
sphere of personal and social influence, of one, at
whose departure Massachusetts has had the nation
iir her fellow mourner, and the civilized world
syuspathizer in her grief. In the death of Daniel
Webster we can find nothing to mitigate our
profound sense of the loss of such an unrivalled
intellect, and of sucl ripe experience, from the
coRHcils of the country, but reverent faith such
as hallowed and consecrated his closing hours up
on earth, in that overriding Providence, s'whose
wisdom II behooves US not at all to dispute -
Massachusetts, in whose service so large ii por-
zion Of his life was passed, and whose name and
history have become so identified Nth the ex-
hibition of his matchless powers, will cherish, as
among her chief treasures, the memory Of this H.
luslrious statesman; and in the darkest hours
which the future may bring TO her, her people
viii recur to his recorded wisdom for their guild
ance and counsel.
The administration of the National Govern
ment, of which at his death he was so distinguish
ed a member, is soon to surrender into other
hands the duties and responsibilities with watch
1t has been invested, during four years of most
critical experience, both in our internal and for
eign affairs For the manner in which it has per-
formed those duties, and met those responsibilities,
1t may safely appeal to history, as it can now con
fdently repose upon the unbiased judgment of
the country.
We have lately witnessed a recurrence of that
Imposing spectacle the best test of the stability
and perpetuity of our republican institutions,
waich is presented in Presidential election
After excited contest which in any other coun
| try would scarcely be terminated without resort
! to che sword, more than twenty millions of peo-
! pie have simultaneously, intelligenty, and with
out violence, signified, through the forms of the
! Canefifutt0n thar ,hOico IF RuIa ID Co..
1 the coming four years the desnes of this great
empire. Whatever hopes or interests may have
hung upon different result, the result once as
certalaed and declared, is submitted to without
murmur ofdissent, and the machinery ofthe Gov.
erment moves quietly on, to carry out the benef-
lcent purposes Of the Constitution. No feeling of
distrnst or dependency among any portion Of the
| people accompanies its movement, nor is it en-
barrassed by any factious opposition, In giving
her vote TO the distinguished citizen, who through
long career of ilustrious services, had proved
his patriotism and his title to the confidence of
his country, Massachusetts finds herself in oppO-
sltion to very large majority of her sister States
But she will be ready to unite with them all in
| sustaining every patriotic purpose, and upholdins
| every sincere effort, which may be exhibited BY
those TO whose hands have been condded the Gov
| ernment ofthe country for maintaining the Consti-
tuition, perpetuating the Union and promoting the
prosperity Of the people.
The relations sustained by the Commonwealth
| to the Government of The Union, and the action
| oithat government on the people of the several
| States, must be to US, at adj times, matters Of
| deep interest. 1t is our government, in the same
sense, and within its constitutional sphere of ac-
ton entitled to our loyal allegiance in the same
degree, the government ofour Commonwealth.
1t was established mot league or compact be-
tween independent States, but as a government
! founded upon voluntary suffrages of the whole
| people in adopting the Constitution ofthe United
States, and declaring it to be their supreme law.
Wh'ie, therefore, we may properly give express
sion TO our views aud opinions respecting its ac.
ton, and endeavur, through the authorized and
constitutional channels, 10 influence that action
in such directions as we may deem most promo
tive of the general welfare cannot regard it as
any part OF orr duty, either as legislators or citi-
| zens, to exhibit our Opinions at such times, and
| IN such modes, TO produce 10 other effect than
discord and ILL will or to endeavor, under their
Influence, TO withdraw ourselves from the per-
| Torrance Of our constitutional obligations. Tile
| people Of the United States have a common his
tory, and a common destiny ;and there are no adj
| equate compensalions to the interests the hui
man race, that will justify any action Of States or
| ofindivldaals, which tends TO impair the strength
| ana integrity OF That Union, under winch the
/ great cause Of humanity his been so signay adj
vanced and prospered. BY the patriotism of our
Fathers, aud the iavors of good Providence,
there has been established here IA great family OF
States, and we, people, can no more seal
culae the value'' Of its Union, than we can, as
individuals, calculate the value Of the ties which
bind us together in the relations ofdomestic life
With respect both TO the national legislation, and
her duties TO her sister States, Massachusetts early
placed upon record, her deliberate convictions; and
she has now new ground, upon those subjects, fol-
the first lime to occupy. Ia her response to the
celebrated Virginia Resolutions Of 1898. she de.
clared, that "being convinced that The Federal Con.
sttution is calculated 20 promote the happiness prog
pery, and safety Of the people Of these United
States, and TO maintain that union Of the several
States, essential 10 the welfare of the whole, and
being bound by solemn oath support that Consti
tuition, the Legislature feel il unnecessary u make
any professions Of their attachment TO it, or Of heii
hrm determination to support il, against every ag
erosion, foreign or domestic. That they are per.
suaded tibet the decision Of all cases arising under
the Constitution, and the construction of all laws
made "a pursuance thereof, exclusively vested by