Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1854-11-08

the important issues, involved in it. will have
been decided beyond chance of revocation.
In our view, it is the most important election
that has occurred for years, or that will occur
for years to come. The great aggression of the
Slave Power, in the repeal of the Slavery re-
striction on Kanzas and Nebraska, has placed
that power in an attitude, which requires the
prompt and decisive condemnation of the peo-
pie, throughout the Free States, unless they
are prepared to submit, quietly and without
murmur or complaint, to any new outrage, it
may choose to inflict upon us.
The people of the Great West have met this
question promptly, as becomes freemen, who
feel that their rights and liberties are involved
in the issue. Ohio and Indiana have led the
way nobly, by spurning the doughfaces, and
giving unprecedented majorities on the side of
Freedom. Yesterday, Illinois, Michigan, and
Wisconsin were to follow, and though returns
are not yet received from them, enough is
known of their spirit and activity, to leave no
doubt of the issue. They, too, will utter a
deep condemnation of the iniqwty. New
yesterday, and, although considerably dis
tracted by side issues, we believe that they
will, as Pennsylvania has done before them
lend their aid towards achieving the great VIC
tory of Freedom.
With these indictments before us, it will be
shameful, indeed, if Massachusetts, the land
of the Puritans, and the leader of the Revolu-
ton, should halt, and fail to join its voice to
those of its sister States, in this great emer-
gency. This can be done, only by voting for
such candidates as place their claims for cleo.
ton, on their determined arc uncompromising
hostility to the slave power. 1t can be done,
most effectively, only by voting for the candi-
dates Of that party which bases its political ac-
ton on perpetual and unceasing opposition to
slavery and every form of oppression.
How stands the case then? OF the so called
Democratic party and its nominees, it is hard
ly necessary to speak in this connection. The
party, as an organization, is, literally, the pur-
chased tool Of the Slave Power. The State
Convention endorsed the administration, and
every vote given to Judge Bishop, the nomi-
nee of that Convention, is an approval of the
Nebraska outrage, and of slave aggression.
The Wing Convention, on the other hand,
condemned that measure, and took very de-
cided ground on the side of Freedom. But,
it must be remembered, that to that party we
owe the Fugitive Slave Law and the other in
famous Compromises of 1850, but for the pas
sage of which, the repeal of the Slavery re-
striction in Kanzas and Nebraska never would
have been attempted The organization in
this State, too have refused to cut adr # from
their Southern allies, and their political action,
in national affairs, must be just such, there
fore, as those allies choose to dictate. Thus
the party, though making such fine pro-
LESSONS for freedom, is virtually and necessa-
rily, pro-slayery party.
Of Gov. Washburn, the Wing nominee, per-
sonally, the writer of this has never written
disrespectful word, and trusts that he never
will have occasion to do SO and ii would give
him great pleasure if he could say as much
in favor of his political character as he can
of his social virtues; but truth forbids. We
believe that his impulses are in the right di-
rection, but he has not the firmness to resist
the influence Of bad advisers in high places
When large portion Of the volunteer militia
of the State was illegally called out by the
Mayor of Boston, in the service of the slave
power, to oyerawe our own citizens, Governor
Washl,urn, who, by the provisions of the Con-
stitution, is Commander in Chief of the Mill
tia, stood tamely by, and saw his own rights
and the rights of every citizen of the State,
wrested from him and trampled under foot,
and that militia made the illegal instrument
of carrying one of our citizens into hopeless
slavery. In that day of Massachusetts, hui
initiation and deep mourning--o in
suited, and spit upon, and, worst of all, her
own militia made the instrument of her degra-
dation, how did the Constitutional guardian
of her rights aud honor, Gov. Washburn, de-
mean HIMSELF One of the ablest jurists Of
Massachusetts, and a prominent Wing, with
al, said to us on the day of the Wing State
Convention, that, if Governor Washburn had
done his duty on that occasion, he would have
instantly called Court of Inquiry, to inves-
tigate the affair. Did he sos No. But what
he did do is fresh in the recollection of every
lover of freedom. He went junketing with
the officers of that same militia, and made vap-
i'd speeches to them, IN praise Of the alacrity
Nth which they aided to enforce an odtous a,oi
Thus was the work which Hallet commenced,
cpDsummated; the nail which he had power
only to drive, Governor Washburn, standing
on the other side, olinched, and the humilia-
ton OF Massachusetts was complete In view
OF these things, what friend of freedom, what
lover of the honor Of his State, can cast vote
for Governor Washburns
Of Henry J. Gardner, another nominee for
the Office of Governor, his own comparative
insignihcance would make it unnecessary for
us to speak, but that he is backed up by a Sc
cret organization, said to be strong and now
erful in numbers, which is represented. bv
some of its friends, as a sort Of Mutnal Ala
Society, to enable those to attain Office. who
could never do it, by the force of their own
intellect or character. Friends of Freedom
Look at the record of this man. The
pet Of State Street Aristocracy, which
sent Sims into slavery the representative Of
its money bags and, up to the very time
when he hoped by taking an opposite course
TO clutch the chair Of State, the rampant and