Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1854-09-28
photographic Report for the Atlas
Speech Of j. M. Usher.

speech of j. Nj. Usher.
Mr.. President, and Gentlemen of the Con-
vention:-What 1 have to say at this time
will occupy but very few moments. Conf
dent l am, that these resolutions will pass
just as they are, let what debate be upon them
there may be, and therefore, sir, simply de-
sire on this occasion, as democrat, and as a
representative of as good democrats as ever
trod the soil of Massachusetts, to say very few
words at this time. With the respectful at
tention which l see on every hand, have no
doubt sir, that all [ have to say will be atten-
lively and patiently listened to. 1t is always
unpleasant, Mr.. President, to differ in any
particular from party with whom one has
been associated from his earliest days; and
such is my position at the present time, hav-
ing acted as Democrat in Conventions even
before l was free, and ever since, up to this
day.
Now, sir, there is one resolution (there may
be others, that in some respects | differ FROM
there is one resolution presented here from
which 1 entirely dissent; and l stand up be-
fore you, and before this Convention at this
time, to express not only my view, but what
l believe, sir, to be the views of the majority
of the Democratic voters of the Common
wealth of Massachusetts,, when they can speak
those sentiments for themselves. Sir never
in my life did l stand up to speak before any
| assembly with more of regret-with deeper
! pain than l feel at this time. Because, sir, l
labored with all my might for the election of
| Franklin Pierce to the high and honorable
position which he now occupies. Because
did what never did before-made some po-
litical speeches. poor though they might be,
in his behalf The resolution to which l OBJ
ject is as as follows:
| hot oh 70
the principles of that platform, referring to
the Baltimore platform in the measures OF
Gen. Pierce's administration. [Cheers and
cries of 1--WE do, we do"
Well, gentlemen, you have expressed your
views, and l have heard you patiently; now
hear me. s'Hear him, hear him, go on, go
on ~
Gentlemen, YOU shall hear no disrespectful
language from me towards any gentleman.
shall state what most sincerely believe, what
l confess before you, that l am sorry upon
my conscience, to be compelled before God to
acknowledge it to be right (and religion is
recognized i'll these resolutions | see 50 we
may refer to that.) The Baltimore platform
there it is, holding up document before
him there it is, every word of it, as laid down
at Baltimore, and published and declared tc
the world. VIII you allow me to read from
that
Rssolued That the American Democracy place theil
trust in the intelligence patrotism and discriminating
justice of the American people.
Resolved, That regard this distinctive feature
political creed, which proud maintain
fore the world, the great moral element in form o
springing from and upheld by the popular
WILL and contrast it with the creed and practice
Federalism, under whatever form, which seeks tt
palsy the will of the constituent, and which cOnceives
imposture too monstrous for the popular credulity.
agree, and you agree, with every word Of
this, because it is as true as truth. But in the
face and eyes Of that document and that doc
trine say, and l have proof here of what
say, that one of Gen. Plerce's Cabinet officers
issued proclamation last year, intended to
cripple and paralyze the will of the people.
Loud cheers and few Kisses. | refer, sir
to the famous circular of Gen. Cushing
T"Good, hear, hear" [ refer to that letter
sir, in which the General Government vested
i'll this Administration, came down from thai
lofty pinnacle where the people had placed it
to NEEDLE and dabble even with county poll
ties and threatened with excommunicatior
any man who should dare to exercise his owl
independent will. Applause and confusion.
l say that the circular issued by Caleb Cush-
ing, was an attempt to interfere with the will
OF the people, sanctioned by the President, al
is seen by its reference to him. say it was
most unjust and rRwise interference, calcu-
lated to produce the most ruinous results
and any man who acknowledges that, and
endorses it as a part of President Pierce's Ad-
ministration, gives up his liberty, and bows as
slave to the feet of Gen. Gushing TGreat
excitement, Kisses, cheers and cat calls. Sir,
might permit myself to bow down to some
man who had always been straightforward,
true Jeffersonian Democrats but when the
edict comes from such a man, who, ON his
knees begged Free Soil Councilman to APP
point him Judge, and accepted seat upon
the bench, in order that he might thus be
clothed with a character which would enable
Gen. Pierce to take him from the Judgeship
and give him place in his Cabinet, l say
when the edict comes from such man, no
man who has heart soul, can ever submit
to it. Three enthusiastic cheers were here
given, and the widest excitement prevailed,