Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1855-01-20
OBJ 4alIpl Sppp.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 20. 1855.


DictafiOn.
The following remarkable passage occurs in
an article on the Senatorial question, which
appeared in the Worcester Journal, of the 10th
nst:-
"1f by honorable means, Wilson's nomina-
ton can be reconsidered, it is fair to do it,
more then that, it would be policy for the par
sv to do it, but till that is done, every mem
Der Of the party that votes against him. Ujo-
lates his obligation, bellies has pledges, yes, per-
lures his soul, and he is not man of honor.
His personal enemies kEo,o what they are
guilty of in voting against him, when ma
.,ority declare for him.
We do mean to say anything on the ques
ton at issue, between the two sections of
the Know Nothings, in the House of Repre-
sentatives, but we purpose to consider the e1-
traordinary statements which the Journal
makes, in connection with that question.
The Journal says that every member of the
minority in the Legislature, who refuses to
vote for Henry Wilson, "violates his obliga.
tons, bellies his pledges, and perjwes his
SOUL" In other words, we are told that
the minority, in the Know Nothing Or
ganization, are bound by pledges, obligations,
and solemn oaths, to vote as the majority
shall dictate ,--and, il further indicates, that
no obligation to the State can supersede the
obligation to the Order. This is a state of
things that may well awaken the anxiety of
the patriot and the Christian. 1t is a condi-
ton of politics that is well calculated to dis
turb all who have true appreciation of the
citizens relations to his government.
The citizen owes his first duty to the state.
The state secures to him all the blessings of
civilization and society, and in return, he owes
it, at all times, without reserve, his heart and
his hand The state secures freedom of wor.
ship to the citizen; and it secures to him, al
SO, freedom of thought. speech, and action
His wife, children, friends, fellow worship
pers, goods, chattels, and muniments, are part
of the state; and, in proportion as all these
are dear to him as man, SO is his duty to de-
fend and guard them sacred to him as a cti-
zen. The citizen cannot legally take any
oath or obligation that will intermit his
obligations to the state. And, certainly,
legislator, who swears before his God and
his country to do his duty faithfully, accord,
ing to his own best judgment and honest con-
science, cannot without violating his oath
and outraging his conscience, vote according
to the dictates of any secret order or organiza-
ton. No state can prosper with an hyperion
IN imports, concealed in her bosom, When
citizens actually ignore their allegiance to the
state, by acting under the dictation Of Sc
cret irresponsible association, that state is weak
at the core; and, the true patriot may well
tremble for her safety.
The action of the Boston Know Nothing
Council, No. II, in relation to the vote of Chas.
w. Slack, is striking instance of the dan
gerous lengths to which this hyperion in i'm
perto may extend. Mr.. Slack had sworn, as
member of the Legislature. to discharge his
duty faithfully to his constituents But Sc
cret council, in opposition to the expressed
laws of the State, commanded him to vote as
they wished him to. All Boston is Mr.. Slack
constituency and he is bound by oath and
honor to do the best he can for the benefit of
all his constituents but Council No. IL, as
sumed the right to dictate to him, on point
which has always been considered sacred
that is, his duty as member of the lesisla-
ture.
Good, true, honest, upright men may be
placed in position which they could not, at
first, forsee or anticipate; but they are sure
to pause and consider when their private obli-
cations contravene their public duties. We
trust that our citizens will well consider,
whether it rebounds to the honor or glory Of
Massachusetts, to have any portion of her legis-
lators branded as perurers, if they do not con-
sent to every measure which the majority may
propose.