Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1854-10-26
Republican County Convention Mt WOr-
cester, Oct. 25th, 1854.

The Convention met at horticultural Hail.
and was called to order at 10 IL o'clock, by
Adam Harrington, Esq, Of Shrewsbury, mem
Der of the State Committee. Adm Thayer,
ESQ, Of Worcester, was chosen Secretary pro
ten, and then, on motion, it was voted to APP
point Committee of five to nominate list OF
permanent officers for the Convention. The
Committee was accordingly appointed, and
while they We're out, Hon. Amasa Walker, of
North Brooktield briefly addressed the Con-
vention. The Committee reported the follow
ing list of officers: For President, Adam Har-
rington, of Shrewsbury. Tice PyesiGeats-
Charles Mason, of Fitchburg, Aurn Bugbee,
of Charlton, Charles White. of Worcester, Is
rael Plummer, of Northbridge. Secretary
Adm Thayer, of Worcester.
After the appointment of a Committee on
Credentials, it was voted on motion of Ed
ward Earle, of Worcester, to appoint Com
mittee Of ten to prepare list of ten candidates
for the state Senate, two from each section of
the county, from which the Convention shall
proceed to choose five. The following gentle.
men were placed upon that Committee;
Messrs. Henry Chaplin and Charles White,
of Worcester; Morse. of Leominster; Whit
comb, of Harvard; Leander Gorton, of North
bridge; Bigelow, of Grafton; Joslyn, of Web
ster; Thayer, of Blackstone; Billings, of Luz
nenburg; Homer, of West Boylston.
Voted to appoint a Committee to receive the
t;als So bo dala1atas NUl,;lo fl,o Doy,o-
mittee on nominations was out the venerable
Asaph Rice of Northboro, made brief ad-
dress, at the close of which Hon. Charles
Alen,in response to numerous calls ,came for
ward and addressed the Convention.
Mr.. Allen said, we have met at time of
great and unusual interest in the history of
the republic. The venerable gentleman who
preceded him had we'll said there can be but
two parties in the country. 1t is even so.
One is ever active and vigilant, laboring to
extend the dominion of slavery, and to
strengthen it where it already has foot hold
until it has obtained vast power in the coun-
try. And now despiSing its opponents, and
unscathed by the conflict, it seems to assume
that there is nothing for it to meet, that it
cannot subdue, and openly proclaims its pur-
poses to do those things which it only dared
to whisper short time ago ito annex Cuba,
secure the control of Central America, and
still farther to strengthen its position at home,
to reopen the African slave trade. They pro-
pose to go back of that period of time when
fha do 6ocl ro1 70, ha h,,
the unanimous voice of all the governments
of the civilized " orld, and revive the barba-
rous customs Of those darker times when that
infamous traffic, with all its honors, was
countenanced and encouraged by the poten-
tates of the world. Not content with the VIC
tories already won, unsatiated with its recent
| successes, its advocates and supporters are
seeking now to convince men that the traffic
in human beings is honorable and virtuous
! business. For long time 1t has seemed as if
these encroaehments would never be success
fully resisted; but its more recent outrages
have at last aroused the North, and the peo-
pie seem once more to be rising in their
strength, to fight battIe-of doubtful result,
unless the friends of freedom, throughout the
country, go with united front and determined
purpose regardless of party ties and all minor
issues, to resist their encroachments.
We have met here before, as members of the
Free Soil party; we meet here to-day, under
| the broader name of Republicans name
which, in itself and in its rightful definition,
cop,rriea. oil our RI, sires and oil ,,ur osr;ro
tons for the welfare of the country. In other
sections of the country, the friends Of freedom
have united for the objects, to attain which we
have assembled to-day. In Ohio, in Indiana.
and in Pennsylvania, they have achieved such
triumphs, as have startled the minions of sla-
very, and inspired with new courage, and with
new hope, the friends of liberty. And the
Northwest is pursuing the same road to the
same triumphant success. Aud why should
not Massachusetts, show united front in this
struggle? Why should not men who agree in
sentiment upon this great question of the
time act with united and determined purpose
to secure their share in such triumphs as
these:
Fellow Citizens-I rejoice to ses so many
here this morning. know not what vote We
may give at the coming election, but 1 know
that there is body of men in Worcester
county, who, under all circumstances and at
all times will be true to the cause of Freedom
who will not be led from their allegiance to
| duty by the wiles Of our adversaries, and who
have determined whatever may be the immedi-
ate results of the battle, to come out of the
election with their principles and their honor
In the present canvass, besides the wing or
| ganization and the Democratic organization,
there is another said to contain large num-
Der Of voters, who are pledged to secrecy.
! Doubtless, many have joined this organiza-
ton from the best motives. They think they
see at the foundation of that party the princi-
| rles which they love. But they seem to me
to have made great MS axe. If they have
truth at the foundation, ,oly not proclaim it u,
! the open day! Why not come out in the pres
enoe of their fellow.men and declare their
principges2 All other courses are unsafe, and
will result in loss to that cause which they
profess to love.
l am not speaking to censure these men.
/ trust they have left us only for season and
will return to their allegiance to the cause of
human liberty before the election.