Worcester daily spy., 1854-10-06
JOHN l. BAKER, }
AMAsA WALLER, COmmittce.
ROBERT CARTER,
Hon. INCREASE SUMNER, Great Darlington.
GrrAr BAnnlNeroN. Sept. IS. 1854.

GREAT HARRINGTON, Sept. Is, 1884.
Gentlemen By your communication, re-
ceiyed at this date, am informed that the
Convention recently held at Worcester, n0mi-
me to be supported for the Office of Lieaten-
ant Governor at the ensuing election.
Having of choice been associated with the
Democratic party, i'll the ranks of which the
nomination finds me, it will at once be mani
fest, that The pleferment rendered me was un-
expected. l am, therefore, induced to look
upon this instance of regard, as springlng
from belief entertained by the Convention,
that those great principles which are now AM
mating the friends of American fl eedom, ana
wing them together into one organization,
receive my hearty concurrence and sincere
though humble support. In this belief the
Convention was not mistaken.
Those principles consist in firm deterinl-
nation to cling to the original intent and pur-
pose of our National Constitution, and ad-
here to the solemn compromises and pledges
made at its formation and since its Adoption.
Without compromise the sislerhood of States,
instead of casting aside the frail bonds OF the
confederation and forming "a more perfect
union" would have unclasped their bands
and remained discovered forever. The COM
promises that have been entered into since the
adoption OF the misunderstanding the
subject of slavery-involved the strongly
plighted word of the South to the North, en-
dorsed by the guaranty Of the National gov
ernment, that no viol alton of those comprom-
ises should be permitted or attempted. Surely
upon such word and upon such guaranty the
North has right confidently to rely.
Aside, however, from the so-called Missou
ri compromise, none can suppose that when
our constitution was framed, the extension of
slavery extension also of principle OF re-
presentation i'll the National Legislature, SO
exceptionable as TINT allowed to slave states
wodld ever be permitted outside the limits of
the original thirteen States. Nor North nor
South then anticipated that new stars, half
eclipsed by the gloomy shadow of human sla-
very, would ever be fixed upon our National
ensign.
BY the act of the last session of Congress
abrogating the Missouri Compromise-the re-
lance to which l have alluded, has been de-
stroyed, and shock has been given to the
frame work of our Republic.
[ have always held that national faith and
all obligations of like character with the
plighted faith of nation were pre- eminently
sacred and not to be cancelled, except by
consent of all the parties. Permit me to say
I learned this doctrine in the school of democ-
racy and i'll lessons taught by the fathers. If
this doctrine is to be repudiated and such OBJ
legations are 10 be annulled whenever ont of
the parties shall have sufficient strength and
audacity to do so, thenceforth there can be
no morals in politics and no such virtue as
national honor.
That slavery has become aggressve-thas
the mercenary and inhuman characteristics of
that institution have so emboldeped its yota-
ries and apologists as to induce them to in
wade the precincts of freedom, and do yio-
lence not only to the spirit of tho federal COM
pact, but also to assurances since entered into,
are facts that have become matter of history.
BY all, then, that may be claimed in virtue of
the covenants Of the past-by all that is pre-
cious in the idea Of American freedom-by
all that was sought to be obtained by the rev.
olution, and by all that is sacred in humanity,
is it not right that such aggression should be
resisted with all the efforts which truth and
justice can suggest, and with all the forces
that honest and manly patriotism can COM
mand?
Acting in accordance with the sentiments
have thus expressed, [ accept the nomination
rendered me, though l regret that different
and better selection was not made-neverthe-
less, when so large and respectable portion
OF my fellow citizens, with whose views re-
lating to the great issues before us l sympn-
thise, require that should stand in the posi-
ton they have been pleased to indicate, feel
it my duty to control my personal wishes and
obey the call.
Receive for yourselves, gentlemen, the as
surances of my highest regard.
l am, very respectfully,
Your ob't servant,
INCREASE SUMNER.
Messrs. JOHN l. BAKER, AMAsA WALKER,
RoDERT CARTER Committee