Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1854-11-07

events have occurred, creating general ex-
pectatioR that should in some form address
the public through the press. That expecta-
ton shall not be disappointed.
short time since, l addressed County
Convention in this city, and, in the course of a
brief speech, felt it to be my duty to speak
of secret political associations, as wrong in
principle, and as inevitably resulting in gross
political corruption. As practical illustra-
ton Of my views, reference was made to the
understood action of the party in this Com.
monwealth, known to the public by the de-
sienaton of "Know Nothings," though recog-
missed by each other, as it would seem from
late revelations, by more resplendent name.
The political principles of him who was sup
posed to be their candidate for the office of
Governor, were alluded to. 1t will be re-
membered that the persons addressed belong
to the Republican party. Many of them be-
ieved with the speaker, that the great ques-
ton of the day was the issue now pending,
between freedom and slavery. Others, with
out undertaking the importance of that ques-
ton, were of opinion also that the Maine law
and the cause of temperance in Massachu-
sets, were in peril. These two classes COM
pretended all who were present.
In very decided terms, the audience were
told that the individual who was supposed to
be the candidate of the "Know Nothings" for
Governor, was, according to the information
which had been received, opposed to them on
both issues.
A few days after the Convention at Worces-
ter. Mr.. Henry J. Gardner, of Boston, throwing
off the cloak of coneealment, which he had
found too short to hide him altogether from
the public gaze, in effect, avowed himself the
candidate Of the ''Know Nothings," and took
exceptions to some Of the remarks which had
been made. The following is the passage Sc
lected by him for aninadyerson, from the
published sketch of my remarks.
"What has been the result thus fers They
have met in Convention i'll Boston, and nomi-
mated a man, as the representative of their
principles, who was one of the first subscribers
to the fund to establish the Chronicle, started
with the avowed purpose of repeating the
Maine Law. And then, as to his worthiness
on the subject of Slavery-his life is covered
all over with the badges of the STAKEHOLDER
I am credibly informed that he was one of the
MarshaPs body guard, when man like our
selves was kidnapped in Boston, and carried
through the streets to be consigned to endless
slavery, until Heaven, in its mercy, shall eff
feet his liberation through the portals of the
grave. He has vindicated, by speech aud vote,
the Fugitive Slave Law, and gone as far as
any man in this Commonw wealth, in support
of the Compromises"
There was slight error in the newspaper
report, which the editor, from his own recol-
lection, and unsolicited, afterwards corrected
Dishonest minds, and such as regard the
letter, rather than the substantial meaning. of
speech, may raise cavil out of this seeming
discrepancy. Such minds, do not address.
With those who are in search of truth, and can
see the object of their search, when it stands
before them at noon-day, 1 am willing to leave
the paragraph, even as 1t is presented to them,
through an imperfect report.
Mr.. Gardner, in his letter intended for the
public, though addressed to an individual, de-
clares that che never subscribed dollar to
the fund to establish the Boston Chronicle -
that she was never asked 10 subscribe and
he adds gratuitously-"I do not know by
sight, and was never even introduced to sim
gle person connected with that paper, either
as proprietor, editor, or publisher" Now,
what, ask any man possessed of common
honesty, is the issue between us? Mr.. Gard
ner surely, in this address to the people, be-
fore whom he appears for their suffrages, for
the highest and most responsible Office in their
gift, will not be allowed to conceal his mean
ing, under the disguise of cautious, but de-
ceptiye language He will not venture to con-
tend that his words are literally true, while in
spirit and in aim they are false. He no longer
stands in the shade Of an unmeaning name,
but he is before the public eye, in his proper
person, as candidate for office, having the
reputation of man to maintain, and being
bound by the highest obligations, to deal truth
fully and honestly with the people. The issue
then, is in substance this. As evidence of his
relation to the Maine law, it is asserted, on the
one hand, that Mr.. Gardner is prominent
supporter Of the Clronicte, newspaper estab-
hshed to oppose that law, and procure its re-
peal This he denies to be true; and in addi-
ton to that denial, and to strengthen the as
sertion, he adds the evidence of circumstances
testified to. it will be remembered. only by
himself, intended to make the public believe
that he had not the slightest connexion with
that paper, nor had in any way given to itsup-
port or aid.
In letter OF the same date, addressed to
the State Temperance Committee, Mr.. Gard
ner says: "For IA years, / have been a mem
Der of the Massachusetts Total Abstinence So.
ciety. Never, since have kept house, have
had on my table glass Of wine or spirituous
liquors" He adds that he voted against the
Maine law, three years ago, 1887 solely be-
cause he deemed some of its provisions uncon-
stitutional. These letters of Mr. g., written
at the same time, may properly be regarded as
one communication. They viii be treated
then as such. Together, they were,intended
to assure the electors of Massachusetts that
Mr.. 9. was q friend to the principle of the
Maine law, and also that, true to his obliga-
tons as pledged total abstnent from intoxi-
eating liquor, he had, by his life and example,
wholly discontinued its use.
On the subject of his relation to the Fugi-
tive Slave law, the compromises, and to sla-
very in general, Mr.. G.. is equally explicit,
ayerring that he had always abhorred the for
ner, and that he had been one of the foremost
IN resistance to the entertainments of the slave
power.
read these letters with much astonish-
nent. Before the meeting of the County
Convention at Worcester, had heard the POI
sition Of Mr.. Gardner, in relation to the tenn
perance and slavery questions, spoken of in
the presence of many, among whom were
ms personal friends, and members Of the same
party, to which he now belongs. There was
no dissenting voice among them. All admit
ted that llis well known, recorded sentiments
We're IN hostility to the Maine law. and in sup
port OF the pro-slavery measures of 1850. l
therefore spoke OF them with freedom. and
without any expectation that INV assertions
would be met by even the faintest denial
Certainly, had no unkind feelings towards
Mr.. Gardner, with whom / had no personal
acquaintance. From his apparently frank and
bold yindieation Of himself, il seemed possible
that he had beon strangely misIepresented. nv
friends. as well as political opponents. de-
terminod to examine into the matter, and If
the fact were so, to make the most ample
amends in my power, for any errors into which
might have been drawn by the mistakes OF