Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1853-11-05

EX-GOVs BOuCWeilS Address.
On Thursday evening, Sd lust, George s. Bout
well, Ex-Governor of this Commonwealth, deliv-
cred an address IN the City Hall, in favor of the
adoption of the New Constitution. The hall was
densely crowded with an intelligent and sympa-
thizing auditory, whose profound attention, dur
ing two hours, to Mr. Boutwell's mastery expo
sitions Of the new Constiton, was only interrupt
ed by their hearty and repeated cheers. The
learned gentleman's argument in favor of Town
Representation was most brilliant and mastery
effort, and was well received by our good citt
Gems.
Mr. Boutwell, drew a.dlstinction between de-
mocracies aud republics, the former of which he
characterized as governments of force, the latter
as free governments. He held that the establish
menl OF liberty Is the first essential of free govern
ment, while equality of representation is not so
material. lie cited Athens and France as exam.
pies of democracIes, who obtained "equal repre-
sentatons' during THEFT ftful revolutions, but
who could not sustain liberty; and he pointed to
the United States as a system Of republics, which
was calculated TO preserve liberty, although it
dispensed with strict equality of representation.
The President Of the United States represents
the nation, the Senate the sovereignty of the
Sates,and the House of Representatives the peo-
pie. The representation in the United States
Senate is therefore, grossly unjust, according TO
the argument OF the opponents of the new Con-
stitutiOn. Delaware, with population of 9l,-
532, has as much influence in the Senate of the
U. s. as Ohio, with a population of 1000, 900;
and Rhode Island, with about $50, 900 is equally
represented with Pennsylvania switch has near
Iy 100000.
This system Of representation, taking popula-
ton for the basis, the opponents to our new
Constitution do is certainly unequal but, practI-
cally, il is Found to be essential to The stability of
thalrepublican system, under which we have be
come what we are.
Now, by the new Constitution for this State.
we obtain equal popular representation, in one
branch Of the government, aud we have, in the
other branch, town or municipal representation
The Senate will represent population, while the
House Of Representatives will represent municip-
altiies.
The enemies Of the new Constitution condemn the
majority of the Convention because they did not
propose to abolish town representation; but the Com
venion has not proposed to do thing which the
people would have condemned, and which would
have been false to the traditions Of Massachusetts
false to her history, and false also to Der freedom.
The first germ of American liberty was sown in
the town meetings. the power and purpose of the
revolution came forth in their gigantic strength from
the town meetings. and it is only by the preserva.
tons Of those ancient municipalities that the senti
ment and spirit OF the revolution will be preserved
in this old Commonwealth. Every town has its own
individuality, lis particular history, its special
interests, aud It's local ideas which il wishes to see
preseryed-destroy town representations and YOU
destroy the family feeling hitherto existing 10 Mas
sachuse,ts, without securing any good ia return
The friends Of the new Constitution have provid.
ed for equal representation, based upon population,
in the senate; aud they have provided, by compro-
mise, for municipal representation in the House, to
check and balance The Senate, 80 that the new Con,
sliiution exactly accords 10 the principle of repre-
sentalion with that Of the United States which was
established by our fathers, 10 secure and perpeluae
our freedom.
We can give but o faint outline Of Mr. Boutwell's
argument. The learned and accomplished orator
proceeded 10 review the other questions involved IN
the constitutional question aud demonstrated
the great superiority, in all its parts, Of the new
Constitution over the old. Al the close Of his adj.
dress, be was greeted with loud applause Three
cheers were given for the new Constitution, and the
meeting quietly separated evidently delighted with
the powerful speech to which they had lust listened.