Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1854-07-24
The Convcntion.


selves, and attempt to impose on the credulity
of their readers, in relation to the origin, pur-
poses, and results, of the late Peoples Con-
vention in this city. These oraeles represent |
that the Convention was acunningly contriv-
ed trap of the artful Free Sellers, to catch the
poor innocent and unsuspecting wings, and
draw them into their ranks; and that this is
proved by the facts, that few or no leading
wings attended, that the Free Sellers controlled
the Convention, having the principal speakers,
and the principal officers, and that the resolu
tions were of an ultra free soil stamp.
Let us see, little, how these statements
bear examination. On the contamination ofthe
Nebraska outrage, almost every wing paper in
the Free States expressed what appeared to be,
an honest indignation, and fixed purpose to
prevent the further aggressions of the slave
power. They declared, that, by this breach
of faith, they were absolyed from all obhga-
ton to sustain any compromise with slavery.
that the North, owed it to the preservation of
its own rights, and especially to its own self
respect, to restore the Anti Slavery restriction
to Kansas and Nebraska, to put the same re-
striction oh all the territories, and to prevent
the future admission of any Slave States to
be made therefrom. They declared that all
minor and local issues ought now to be merg
ed in the one great, absorbing, and vital, one
of putting an effective check upon the asgres-
sions of the slave power, and that men OF all
parties OF the North without reference to for
mer party designations should unite in cheer
full and hearty cooperation, to effect this great
object They said this with an apparent ear
nestness, which imposed upon most people,
especially in the ranks of their own party,
belief in their sincerity.
Acting onthis belief, call for a convention,
to concentrate public opinion on this point,
and to make it effective, was prepared. 1t
was couched in the most liberal terms, so as
to embrace all who were opposed to the repeal
of the slavery, restriction, and no plan or plat
form was laid down, to embarras the action of
the Convention, when assembled. This call
was numefously signed, by men of all parties,
in every section of the State, and, under that
call, the Convention met and was organized.
Now, if any party had reason to fear the
consequences of this coming together in eoun-
Gil, which was 1.-THE weak or the strong
those who were comparatively few, or those
who were manyi Who had reason to fear
that their views and their feelings might not
be sufficiently respected, or their rights sufi-
GENTLY guarded-the small minority, or the
great majority Would the wolves object to
going into convention with the lambs, for
up? The pretence is too absurd to deserve a
serious argument. The fact is, that the Wings
had it in their power, without any serious
effort, to exercise absolute control of the
Convention, and to give it just what shape or
complexion they pleased; and, if anybody had
reason to fear, it was the Free Democrats. If
the Wings had not their share of influence in
it, the fault is entirely their own.
Was there, then, any injustice towards the
wings, as has been alleged, in the organiza-
ton, Of the Convention Clearly there was
not In the committee on organization, there
were fre wings to three others, and. during
the whole session of the committee, MAORI
ty of wings were present. Of the officers of
the Convention, the wings had the President
six Vice Presidents, and two Secretaries,
the Democrats three Vice Presidents and one
Secretary, and the Free Democracy only
Vice President and a Secretary
Equally false is it that in the appoint
ment of committees. there was any man
agement on the part of Free Sellers, TO accom-
plish party purposes. The presiding officer is
always entitled to appoint the committees.
The President of the Convention was a whig,
and. when he retired from the chair, he called
Wing Vice President to his place. In eeery
case where a committee was ordered it was
first voted, that the nomination should be
made by the chair, and whom he declined, the
choice was made by nomination from the Con-
vention at large, or by committee of which
a majority was Wings, and it is fact that
no committee was appointed, that day, in
which the Free Democracy was not in hope
less minority.
compliant has been made, also, that the
resolutions were too ultra in their character.
If this is'so, the Free Democracy are not alone
responsible for it, for, on the Committee which
reported them, there were four Wings, and
only two Free Democrats
But, say some of these paragaphists, !. the
speakers abused the Wings" Well, if they
did, we suppose that is sufficient reason in
their opinion. why the Wings should do no.
thing for their country, and nothing for liberty.
This reminds us Of the boy, v no when about
to be punished for not getting his lesson, gave
as reason, that another boy 'made up
mouths at his sister," Five, at least Of the
speakers, were Wings, and if one or two of
the Free Sellers did speak, as we admit they
did, disparagingly of the sincerity of the Anti
Slavery professions Pleading Wings, we would
suggest whether there was not some excuse
for it, in the almost entire absence of the
Wing leaders, from that Convention, called
for so noble purpose. Yet we do not justi-
fly them, for we regretted it at the time, and
fully approved of the liberal and generous
sentiments avowed by Gen. Wilson, Amasa
Walker, and others.
We think. that if the Wings of Massachu-
sets are sincere in the Anti Slavery senti-
ments they have Of late, so freely expressed