Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1855-10-06

nominate Mr.. Rockwell or any other man who
could unite the pie In reply to that state
nent sad to him, in the presence of those gen.
tlemen, If we have fusion, every man, be he
wing, Democrat, anti-Slayery man or American,
must come into the fusion movement upon a
| common platinum. No man must be prescribed,
and no man must stand in the way of q union of
the people" Governor Gardner and all those
gentlemen agreed with in that opinion.
Well, gentlemen, Governor Gardner assembled
with us at the State House, few days before the
Springfield Convention, where we discussed the
whole question for three or four hours At that
meeting his voice and his influence were in favor
OF fusion, and the only man of the number pres
ent who uttered word against fusion, was Mr..
Carey of Essex, who said he was willing to have
fusion if Governor Gardner could be nominated,
but II he could not be nominated, he was against
it. (Laughter)
Gov. Gardner in the earlier stages of the move
ment. Now, l hold in my hand, an extract from
the recent speech Of Gov. Gardner, at the Ire
mont Temple. And here, let me say, that have
read Gov. Gardeners speech on that occasion, with
sincere and profound regret. l regret that Gov.
Gardner or any other Governor of Massachusetts,
or of any other State, should feel constrained un-
der any circumstances, to utter the language en-
braced in that speech am not here to say an
unkind word of Gov. Gardner | never have done
so; and although he has denounced me, in Ian
guage will not quote, do not here tonight ut
ter word Of unkindness towards him. have
never done him any wrong. | have never asked
any favors at his hands, l have never obtruded
my advice, nor given any when sought, that did
not believe for his interest, and that of the State
and it, after the heat and turmoil Of this political
canvass is ended, after his retirement from public
life on the first Wednesday of January next, he
can read that speech with appreciation, he is adif
ferent man from what, in my opinion, the chief
magistrate of Massachusetts, ought to be, and
not such man as l would like to " number on
my list of friends" That speech, l think, may
be apty characterized as in the sanguine and
and sanguinary style. daughter and ap-
plause) In that speech he has declared, in the
most explicit language, as his justification for his
action, that he had no responsibility for or con-
nection with, the fusion movement. 81 can hon
oraby accept" he says, &C. the nomination of
another Convention, for am in no manner pledg-
ed, or committed, bound, by the acts of that
Worcester Convention, by word, deed, letter, or
thought
If Gov. Gardner has a friend here, l ask
his especial attention to the statements l am
now about to make. Gov. Gardner on the Tues
day night preceding the Worcester Convention,
said to Col. Phillips of Fitchburg, a gentleman
well known in Worcester County, Il want you tie
remember it, and be exact and precise in your
memory.) Gov. Gardner said to Col Phillips of
Fitchburg, on the Tuesday evening preceding
that Convention, that he was a friend to fusion
last yesr, that he proposed fusion il the Wing
Committee, that it was voted down, and then he
left the Wing party and went into the American
party,-that he in favor of the fusion
movement this year, and that he was fully
committed to the Convention here, and would
very cheerfully abide by its results. On the
Wednesday evening following, these gentlemen
again met, in Fitchburg, ami Gov Gardner re-
peated in substance, though in briefer words the
converse ion of the proceeding night. So strong
was the impression made upon Col. Phillips by
this conversation, that he came to the Conven-
ton resolved, if admitted a delegate, Che being
member of the Committee of Arrangements,9
to give his vote for Gov. Gardner; and although
he was not admitted, he did actually use his ex-
ertons, and give his influence towards securing
his nomination; 10 this peace of testimony,
ask your candid consideration. l state it here on
the authority of Col Phillips. with his knowl-
edge that | should SO state it.
nave now another statement to make On
the Doth day Of August, the Chapman Hall meet
ing assembled. Hon. c. L. Knapp, of Lowell,
member elect of the next Congress-, met Gov,
Governor Gardner that day, and held a
conversation with him the policy of the
movement. Governor Gardner spoke warmly in
favor of the movement, and made statement of
the probable vote, and figured up the vote by
which he said Mr.. Beach would receive forty five
thousand votes and fusion was necessary il we
wished to defeat him. He then referred to Colo
mel Dewitt, and said he understood that Colonel
Dewitt was talked of as candidate, and ex-
ReEf,s naturally would. At this very meeting
he stated 10 Mr.. Knapp, in the warmest terms,
his hearty sympathy with the fusion movement
in this State.
Well, gentlemen, there is another piece of evil
dence. | want you to remember it, as you read
his words think this evidence pretty conclu-
siye, and state it on the authority of Mr.. r. ].
Marsh, Treasurer of the State and come here
to night authorized to make the statement to
you by Mr. Marsh himself, and have no doubt it
will be made under his own hand in day or two.
On the day on which this hall rocked with agita-
ton, Gov. Gardner was, from three o'clock tllnine
in Boston, and from three o'clock until after six
in the room of Hon A. H. Nelson in COMPANY
with Mr.. Marsh, and Mr.. Clifford, State Auditor
A Geographic despatch was received by those gen.
tlemen from Col. Hawkes., of Northampton, from
the Convention, dated at eighteen minutes past
four, and received very few minutes later, giving
the vote on the informal ballot, and stating that
the Convention was about going into another bal
lot. Gov. Gardner expressed his anxiety in re-
gard to the result, and in anstoer to sthe opinions
of Mr. Marsh, and the Auditor, who told him.
that in their opinion, ne would be renominated
he said that he had doubts about his nomination.
Between five and six o'clock, they received the in.
telligence that the Convention was debating the
claims of candidates. Said Gov. Gardner, with
great confidence and firmness, 81 haze more than
ts0enty jyts1adS aohO can commit me 10 the Conves
ton an a minute" (Sensaton,) Remember,
gentlemen, these were the precise words used nv
Gov Gardner to Messrs. Marsh and Clifford while
his friends, Col. Brewster and Sheriff Clarke
openly pledging him to the Convention, and his
interchangeable friend, DR.. Stone, was laboring in
cessantly, in private conversation, to the same
end MIR. Marsh said to him. " Governor, in the
event any other man is nominated shall you take
the nomination OF any other Convention if offer
ed 7" Sad Governor Gardner, in reply, "If
any man is fairly nominated By that ConUentionI
aoiH not accept the nomination Of any other Con-
Ue''teon sohateUer. (Sensation.) At nine oclock
in the evening, they had not received intelligence
of the final result Of the Cony ention and MIR.
Marsh and Gov. Gardner walked arm in arm TO
the Worcester depot-tho one to take the West
Newton train and from thence walk TO his home
in Waltham, and Gov. Gardner to take the cars
on the Old Colony Road, for his residence at
Dorchester.
Now, gentlemen, these are statements make
to you here tonight, on authority; and tell YOU
further, that l. could stand here the next two
hours, and give you the names of men with whom
Just such conversations have been passed; but
those names, many of them, would not be known
to you. l give you names of men known to the
whole Statesmen that are to be supported as
candidates this fall by the people of Massachu-
sets.
Let me say to you, gentlemen, what Lieutenant
Governor Brown, and every other man connected
with the State government can say to you, that,
if there is a man in Massachusetts more than
another who has labOred and advised to this fu-
sion movement, that man is Governor Gardner
| have conversed with him many times; others
have done the same; and he had his friends in
confidential communication with him all the
time and Mr. Baker, the Secretary of the State
Council, went to Mr.. White, of Boston, and had
his votes printed for Governor, and brought them
to the Convention.
Now, gentlemen, say to you, that the Amer
lean party of Massachusetts,, by innumerable acts
a 4. i l.. 4