Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1856-06-02
Columbia College. New York.

IN manly tones, on the Sumner outrage in the
person of her distinguished President, Charles
King. Mr.. King, unlike some of his lmber-
backed brethren, connected with Old Harvard. did
not take counsel of his friends, or of his position
whether he should speak of this outrage as it
deserved; and his remarks, portion of which
we copy from the Tf1bUaeS rerert, will be found
in striking contrast with the timid. apologize.
tme-serving, cat-footed conservatism, which re-
straineda Massachusetts professor from speaking
manly word to his fellow citizens in denuncia-
ton of outrage and crime:
SPEECH OF CHARLES KING.
Nr President and Gentlemen 81 Mr.. King
was interrupted by three cheerslSIt is not
without great hesitation that in the posi-
ton which | now occupy, and which has
necessarily separated me very much from all
political meetings, that 1 have consented to
come here tonight, aud at the request of
some OF our friends, to utter the very few SEN
fences with which / shall trouble YOU, But
this is not an ordinary political assembly;
this Is not an occasion on which any man in
whose heart beats the blood of the country
dare absent himself. (Cheers.1 l belong to
a>race that had some hand in forming that
Constitution, the gross outrage upon which
has called you here tonight. If I-haye fdel-
ny " al IL Is 10 lDhL constitution, and
II my life has been devoted to any one prin-
cipe more than another it is to that of Free
Thought, Free Speech, and a Free Press
cloud applause.) And when l see all these
struck down-struck down by brutal, cow
ardly assassins tremendous eheers)-T MAJ
not take counsel either of my position, or of
my gears, Of a'y gray head and nag long serrice,
to hold back and refrain from saying ,ohat as
on my bps to say, and 'ohat my hear aeou}d be
dastGrdly if 1t did not sag. l scorn the act
l scorn all excavations, and I scorn espec-
tally the ignoble cause of all Slavery. lire
mendous cheers, long continued, with wav
ing OF hats and handkerchief l desire 10
refrain from using any exciting word or dwell
ling upon any exciting topic. l had some
misgivings when got up. c. Go on, go on;
give it to them y l feel too deeply TO be
quite sure that when l commit myself to ut.
terance l shall be as discreet as l ought to be-
[" No danger; go on, go on.'') But gentle.
men, am here to speak the voice of New
Y the voice Of men who are born free
and mean to die tree-(loud applause]-of
men who claim for themselves the largest
liberty of speech, and who insist in allowing
1t and defending it for Others "a Good,
good Loud cheers.) It has been well said
by the gentleman who preceded me that the
reign of force has begun, the reign of the
bully, the bludgeon, {" the blackguard, y
whereas it had only been the reign of Free
dom, the reign Of thought, and the reign of
patriotism. All that is overawed. This is
not the first instance This very session we
have seen stricken down in the streets of
Washington man who, of all men that |
know, most challenges, as l apprehend, the
respect of this community for his services for
the Free Press. LImmense cheering and
waving of hats. Mr.. King attempted to pro-
coed, but was prevented by Three cheers
for Horace Greeley" which We're given with
will. We talk very often of high courage
in military and naval acts. l know no in.
stance of higher moral courage than that in
which, taking his life in his hand, and know
ing that every hour Of his stay IN Washing
ton his HE was IN jeopardy, was evinced by
Horace Greeley. (Renewed cheenng.) &##
consider the vocation of an editor-I ask
no pardon of all Others-the highest vocation
which can be given to mortal man in a Re-
public. (Cheers.) l consider man that in
charge of a paper honestly, and conseien-
tiously expresses his opinions, seeking to be
right, consider that man The benefactor of
his country. (Applause) Well, then, have
spoken Of Horace Greeley. There is now in
Jeopardy at " ashington, an editor whom |
| know well, who is not afraid Of any,
| thing in the shape of man or beast (cheers1,
| and that man, too, James Watson Webb, re-
newed cheers)-tha! man there in the midst
Of the enemy (three cheers were given for
! James Watson Webb)-in the midst of those
who are willing at all times to attack the
week and undefended, will be let alone
cloud applause.1 But his merit will be no
less lie is there in the midst of the camp of
the enemy, who would willingly put him out,
who would willingly assall him, but that he is
little piece Of a poreupine. (Applause, J.
| Gentlemen, the free press cannot be trammel-
led. Free speech may be sllenced as Sumner
was silenced-by bludgeons; but am mis-
taken if that speech Of Mr.. Sumner does not
effect far beyond what the blows Of that
assassin have effected.
merely presented myself here in order that,
so far as my name and my voice could give
any influence in this meeting, I might give it.
am here with all my heart, and soul, and
blood. cloud cheers.) l am pledged to
whatever may be the necessary consequences
ofthis meeting, come they when they may, or
how they may, The time has come hen we
must talk just so, and when we must act up
to our talk. (Great applause Now all this
may seem rash G" Taint half enough''), but
ny da5ly communion IS NTH rash, young feI-
Jo'oa, and my duty is to restrain their raShneSs
| And get, should feel mySef attHsr5y IN fit for
daily communion nth their noble spirits, Nth
hearts that beat to free, generous and patriotic
emotion, If could feel otberagtse than as / do,
and, if feeling as do, 1 could fail TO speak
a0he@eGer there aoaS aproper opportunity. EN-
thusiastic cheerng.)