Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1853-06-13
rFor the Spy.l

BosToN, June 8, 1853
.Messsrs. Editors Having used bolh my eyes
and ears since came to Boston, ] propose to give
you some of my impressions from Time to time
LIST. The State Convention now in session. In
gazing upon this body, the FIRST thing that strikes
one is II age. 1t must at least be 20 years older
than the Legislature Of last winter. The gray
hairs, bald heads, specialized noses, and toolhless
mouths, indicate that time has been busy with the
personal corporations of the members. If age
brings wisdom, tCiSdoRl must be here embodied.
age TOO mas strong tendency to conservatism
But the conservative element OF society has its
own taicS, suppose, or else ii has lis freaks.
am not sure that conservatism is not gone mad.
A few days ago, at least, it seems so in the State
House; it foamed and dashed its sides, and though
now much calmer, it occasionally assumes of.
icnsive aspect, but generally in sullen silence, it
remains or EbuTsts forth into a radicasm that
outrGdicaI the most radical.
know but little of the law Of growth, pros.
perity, and decay ofconservatisnl But one thing
paIn it PRESENTS at this day, some strange phe-
nomena. Extremes perhaps have met, and now
the so called reformers become the conservative
party. That simple principle on which they act,
VIZ that they have no power but that derived
from the sovereign people, holds them i'll check.
Democracy, true Democracy is both conserva-
tive and progressive. 1t would conserve all that
is rGlua5le, and proved so by the experience of
the past, not because it is old, but because it is
valuable, and root out-cut off all that has proved
an lncumbrance 10 human progress in freedom
and virtue. AS have watched the progress of
the Convention with its business, think OBJ
serve much more parlizan feeiling manifesng it.
self, than in the former part of the session. On
some OF The questions, no party lines were drawn.
So often, indeed, were the reform members found
voting with the conservative party, that it was
difficult TO tell which was the Reform party, and
which the conservative Some good grey head
ed reiormers were suspected of conservatism and
even were thought TO hare fogey tendency.
Now, however, the lines appear. The secret
ballot calls it out. The lines are drawn, and even
it is limited by some Of the Boston conservatives
that they shall take but very little part in tine de-
bates, simply because "a good conservative opin-
ion cannot be sustained in this Convention
Though it has age, it does have strong ten
dency 10 progress. And with its age, experience
and talent, trust it will make healthy progress.
The amendment on the whole will be acceptable
to the people.
But another picture OF this Convention is its
prosy and dry speeches, which, though sound are
exceedingly dry. Long as The sermons of the old
Puritan ministers of the past century, as dffusiye
also-pas sing from the worlds creation to the
present, from the Genesis TO the Revelation Of the
Constitutional law. Turning aside now and then
10 show that they have party affinities, and can
make political thrusts This is not confined TO
any party. They will have to stop this proixity
| of words, and concentrate remarks, or the Con-
vention will be in session until the snow flies
But the Impotence Of members of all parties
seem 10 be forcing business along. Eighty days
| from its commencement will close lis work |
| trust.
At another time will give you my impress
sIons OF some of the men in il. | am yours,
F~r SCRIBBLER