The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1855-05-28
THE DAILY DISPATCH.
MONDAY MORNING, ...............MAY2 IS, 1885
MASSACHUSETTS, .I-ooK Al HER

those burning words of pride and patriotism
Clothed with dignity and justice, and worthy
of the glorious traditions of the Revolution
ary struggle, she stood erect in the time oil
Daniel Webster. deserving the reverence OF
such a son and honored herself in honoring
him But. now alas, how fallenl She stands
no longer, but lies prone upon the earth
n;serahle wreck and ruin of better days
Even before the life of Daniel webster
closed. he saw the sun of Massachusetts fame
sinking beneath sky of clouds and storm
His own Immortality was achieved in the ia
mons speech against South Carolina nullii-
cation, and from every quarter of Massachu-
sets. every principle and sentiment OF that
soeech was hailed with rapture, and ap-
plauded to the echo. Yet, could he now rise
from his grave, he would see Massachusetts
occupying position far more uhjustitlable
in its notification than that of South Carroll
IA. Massachusetts,, assaulting by delloe-
rate act of her Legislature, the greatest WORK
of her greatest Statesmen in defence OF the
Constitution Verily,if Webster could now
rise from the dead, and behold this humiiia-
ting. this shameful, this treacherous spectacle;
If he could see Massachusetts,, when lea the
way to a Revolution against Tyranny, leso
ing the way to Revolution against Lloerty;
Massachusetts,, which was foremost in sup
port of the Constitution, foremost in tramp
ling it under her foot, he would no longer ex
claim There she stands Look at her y
but his language would be the mournful re-
preach of Samuel when called back to earth
at the demand ofpaul, "why hast thou dlsqul-
eted me to bring me up 2"
We have never seen State more rapidly
shorh of moral power than Massachusetts
since the days of Webster. In those days
she commanded respect and consideration
even from those who differed from her the
most widely upon political subjects, whilst
vast multitudes in the Northern and western
States steered by her as by their polar star.
But Webster has gone, and the great name
of Massachusetts lies buried in his tomb
About his grave howls g hungry pack OF
wolves aud hyenas, led by the Parkers and
Phillipses, who disturbed even his dying ear
with their insane outcries. The laws OF
the land are set at defiance, andcan only be
executed in her principal city by force OF
twelve hundred bayonets. The life blood OF
an officer of the law smokes in her streets
innocent blood, shed in broad daylight-and
for no crime, no provocation, but simply be-
cause he discharged his sworn duty,-and
that blood still cries 10 vain from the ground.
Instead of retributiOn for that horrid murder,
even the pulpit scarcely sought TO repress
its exultation over the awful crime Look at
the Massachusetts, Legislature, assailing the
independence of the Judiciary by seeking to
remove Judge for the performance OF his
duty-asssiling the rights of her citizens by
violating the sanctity of that dwelling which
even in kingly England is castle lille
gally and indecently intruding into the apart
ments of helpless women and children; visit
ing its indignation upon the miserable wretch,
Joseph Hiss, not because of his infamous
demeanor to virtuous ladies, but because he
touched the only sensitive nerve that Massa.
chusetts has left, the pocket nerve, in charg-
ing to her account the expenses of Mrs.
Patterson; and finally passing an act Of the
most open, acknowledged, designed nullifca-
ton, an act in direct opposition to the ground
taken by Webster, and unanimously sustained
by the people of Massachusetts in his reply to
Hayne; an act which, if carried out, must in
evitably produce collision between Massa-
chusetts and the general Government, and
toll the knell of the American Union.
What figure does Massachusetts now
present in the Senate of the United States,
compared with her majestic attitude when
Webster e1claimed,-"There she stands
look at her" The great State appeared
greater in the person OF her representative.
But now, in the place of this colossus, what
pigmies Instead of this giant, whose broad
shoulders could sustain the destinies of ma
ton, two wretched dwsrfs, as feeble in
craftsmanship as spiteful in spirit! Instead
of the great statesman, whose vast and pow
erful mind was capable of controlling an en-
pire, and whose comprehensive patriotism
could embrace the whole Republic, we have
two stunted and narrow minded sectional
lSt6, u6lIuoT Vi WHOH udo B. oOul WuICu can
embrace aught beyond the limited horizon
of Massachusetts, or the capacity to guide
the destinies of single State. Sumner, q
fashy rhetorician and sickly sentimentalist;
Wilson, an envious upstart and vulgar dem
agogue, these are the leaders of Massachu-
sstts in public life, whilst all her real worth
and talent are buried in obscurity, with this
consolation, however, that in times which can
elevate such men as Sumner and Wilson to
the highest official place, "a private station"
may well be regarded as "the post of honor"
For cur own part we wish Massachusetts
would initiate the frankness and courage, as
well as the notification spirit of South Caro-
lima, and secede at once from the Union. If
sheis too good and holy for country whose
Constitution protects the rights of sIavehold-
ers, she ought, instead of dishonesty receiv
ing the benefits whilst she refuses to perform
the corresponding obligations of the common
compact, at once to leave the United States.
Let her set up for herself, or petition Great
Britain for union with the congenial cline
OF canada and re-annnyation IN 4ba ,notbar