Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1855-09-26

| to go home, and think the matter all over and
lind we have made preposterous mistake
Suppose we nominate Henry J. Gardiner
Perhaps he says-''I am in favor of your
principles, but as for being member of the
Republican party, why, am not. l intend
ed to have an American Republican party, but
laid that idea aside at the request of my
friends. l am committed to the result of the
Convention of the third of October" Then
the people of Massachusetts, will say" Why
gentlemen, how came you to make that mis-
take: One thousand and seven delegates en-
titled to seats, and they voted for man as
candidate for Governor without knowing
whether he belonged to the party or not p
Suppose we say-''We did ask the question:
"Was it answered. Well, come to think
of it, it wasn't. The gentleman who spoke
for him, said he represented party, and he
had signed call for Convention of that par
ty 10 nominate candidates; bat lie told us
Governor Gardner had talked of getting up
an american Republican party, though he
gave that up al his request. Did anybody
say he was in this movement 4" No they
said he was an anti-Slavery man; we think
they said he always had BEEN" :" But the
point was, was he in your movement - "He
did not say 3d." Well, then, in Gods
name, how came you to nominate man with
out having that thing setted?' What want
to ask you ls-how will you answer that
question: Not man of you will be able to
answer it. If any men ever sinned against
light, we should, if such a course is pursued.
This matter concerns our dignity, our self
respect, our reputation. 1t is not the reputa-
ton of one man, but of great party. In this
assembly, l do not care fig for the personal
character of Mr.. Gardner, or any other man
in the street, or in the house, 1 should care a
great deal, but we have higher matters to dis
cuss here. Suppose Mr.. Gardner should ac-
cept our nomination in general terms-not say
great deal about it, but accept it. Then sup
pose the American convention meets in Octo-
Der next, and that they continue their Amer
lean platform. We have resolved that there
shall be no other test but opposition to the ex-
tension of slavery. Then suppose he accepts
that nomination, mot in general terms, but
specifically What will you do then Answer
me the question.
A multitude of voices-"Elect him-elect
him p
Mr.. Dana-Will you elect him as members
of the Republican party-(voices, "Yes, -
or viii you elect him as repres entatives of the
party he represents CA voice, "No.") do
not ask those gentlemen who are in the habit
merely of crying out. l ask those gentleman
who think. Do not answer me in the heat of
this meeting-sElecC him i"-think what YOU
are doing. %lY You have formed a Republican
party. Win it be consistent for you, will it
be fair to those who have Joined you. to select
person who belongs to another partys We
have gentlemen who have left the democratic
party, and have they made no sacrifices p
Have they not left party which has the pres
tige of success J Have they not left party
which has the "luck" in politics. Have they
not given up dear and cherished name? /
oclr 60 g. 49, I,o,,o
date for governor who is not member of the
party with which they have united them
selves? There are gentlemen here who have
left the wing party. You may say it is not
very great thing to leave, but it is something.
They have got to break the ties of old associ-
atoms, to meet the cold looks and averted faces
of old friends, and I ask, if it is fair to them
to make such a nomination
You have come here and resolved yourselves
into republican party, and ask II put it to
gentlemen who have self-respect,- you
can justify yourselves, as consistent men, if
the first thing, you vote into office man who
does not belong to that party, but to some 9TH
err That question cannot be answered.
do not oppose Mr.. Gardner because he is
not an anti-slavery man, because he vetoed
the personal liberty bill, or because of his
course with regard to the removal of Judge
Loring. oppose him simply because he is not
in this n0Uement-is not member of this
party.
A voice-."Is Mr.. Rockwell member ;"
Mr.. Dana-Yes. A meeting W as called in
Pittslield of those citizens in favor Of found
ing this party at that meeting, six delegates
were elected to this convention; and over that
meeting Mr.. Rockwell presided and made
speech endorsing the movement. And, fur
ther, can tell you the reason he is not here
today. The supreme court holds its session,
in full bench, in that county, this week, and
gentlemen practising at the bar in that coun.
ty, cannot come here today. That detains
him, as well as many Others, from this con.
vehtion. l have letter from him, dated ten
! days back, in reply to one l addressed to him.
l asked him if he was in favor of this move
ment telling HIM that was coming to this
convention, and that should be glad to give
him my vote, if he would commit himself to
the new party. He sent me letter. II sup
posed had it with me, but find have not;
1t is, however, among my papers at the hotOl)
in the most explicit terms, saying that he was
in favor Of this movement, and that he hoped
to see successful result Of this convention,
so TINT we might form one united body of all
those, from all political parties, who were
ready to make this anti-slavery question the
single issue. He added these words-"In
this fusion movement, will go as far as you
| CO."
have only to say, that no nomination of
| person not in this movement, is binding upon
the members of the republican parly-of
course. That is the difficulty which lies in
our way.
Mark Trafton-I desire to ask the speaker
one question. | want to act UNDERSTANDABLE
in this matter; and l " ant gentlemen here to
act understandingly. My question is this -
Can the gentleman now speaking, vouch for
| Mr.. Rockwell, that in case he is not nominat-
ed here, he will not accept the nomination of
the wing convention, subsequently, called
Mr.. Dana-I can only answer the question
| in this form If Mr.. Rockwell, having come
into this movement, hnving presided at a
meeting of the members of this party at Pitts
field, should accept the nomination of any
other party afterwards, it would be a breach
of faith and l do not believe the gentleman
who put the question, would charge upon
him a breach of faith. Mr.. Rockwell may
steal, he may forge-nobody knows what he
may do but l do not think we are to assume
OF respectable gentleman, that he would
commit forgery or theft. The difference
between Mr.. Rockwell and Mr.. Gardner, IS
this: 1t would not be breach of faith in Mr..
Gardner to accept the nomination of the sec
ond convention. He has not united himself
with this movement, and therefore he could
accept that nomination, while Mr.. Rockwell,
who has connected himself with this party,
| cannot -