Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1856-09-04
PEOPLE,S Mass CONVENTION.


The Issues of the Canvass.
We should be glad indeed if the painful and al
most heart-rending narrative Of the outrages in
Kanzas, which we published yesterday, from the
pen of one who was for several years minister
of the gospel in this county, and who is personal
ly known to many of our citizens, could have the
effect to arouse from that condition of perfect in
difference in which many voters still remain as to
the issues involved In the present strife of par
ties. For months past our ears have been filled
with the details of cruelties the most inhuman,
and barbarities the most revolving, inflicted upon
unoffending men, women, and children, by men
wearing the human form, and claiming to be citi-
gems Of this Republic and at this very hour the
hearts of thousands are throbbng with emotions
OF painful suspense, lest the next fash along the
Geographic wires from the western frontier shall
bring the tidings of massacre that repeat the
horrors of Drogeds and St. Bartholomew.
And why Simply because it is still open
question whether the people of the north have
fully determined to rally at the ballot box in the
might of numbers and to cast their votes at the
Presidential election for men who will not yield
to the insolent demands Of the Slave power, and
who, if elected to the highest places of national
honor, will not trample upon the rights of any
portion of the Confederacy to which it is entitled
under the Constitution. and the laws.
Does anybody believe that if the powers that
b., really supposed that the end of the Democrat
ic dynasty was to be coincident with the retire
men of franklin Pierce that the whole power sof
the Federal Government would be exerted at this
time to sustain such shocking barbarities
daily committed in Kanzas, against liberty, prop
city and life Is it to he suppc sed that the mis-
creants in power would dare to encourage in their
inhuman and devilish work the demi civilized
bandits OF the Barbary States of America in those
wild foIays in which are displayed all the remorse-
less cruelties that mark the character of the
savage.
It tine that they should be undeceived. There
are ,w) mouths yet to pass away, before the
stern resolve of the people against their oppres.
ers can be registered at the polls but much may
yet be accomplished to stay the hand of violence,
if the friends of freedom throughout the country
would illustrate noe By q unty Of action, that
unity OF sentiment that peryades the popular
mind
The issues Of ills eany4s- ale more momen-
tous than any that tie present generation has
been or will be called to meet. Upon their dec1s-
ion hang the preservation of the Union, the per-
petuty OF the Constitution and the very existence
of those institutions OF liberty, equality and JUS
tice that were bequeathed to us by the fathers of
the Republic
By the election of Buchanan upon the platform
of principles adopted by the party which placed
him in nomination, the country will endorse the
corrupt and lyranncal usurpations of the
Southern olgarchy they will shut out the insti-
buttons OF Freedom forever from the the terrific
ries of the Republic, and they will stamp the seal
of National appreciation upon the Rnfianism that
domineers the Capitol, and brushes out all mans
dearest and most sacred rights, not only in Kan
gas, but in all the Territories and in all the States
Massachusetts to. day is.the vassal of Virginia,
the very bond servant Of Missouri and Carolina
Her free citizens may not speak above a whisper
the sentiments of their hearts, lest the slave
holders may overhear and lynch them. They may
not read book but that meets their approval,
or open newspaper in hotel, steamboat, or
railroad car, unless they are quite sue that it
approves of slavery as a divine institution, and
endorses the villainies in Kanzas They may not
travel upon business, or for pleasure, along the
great national highways, unless they will consent
to put paddock upon their lips, and deny that
they are sprung from that race of patriots who
have made Plymouth Rock immortal, and Con.
cord, Lexington, and Bunker Hill, imperishable
names in the history Of human progress.
These are some Of the direct issues which the
people are called upon to decide. They come
home to every mans heart, understanding
yea, to every mans daily life. The election of
Buchanan, the continuance of the party in power,
which he represents is the election of the insttu-
tons oflslayery oUer the institutions Of freedom,
is perpetuation OF all the outrages which the
people Of the North endure and suffer, and it will
give a new lease OF power to a despotism which,
under the name Of democracy, disgraoes and
degrsdes humanity, and makes the very name Of
American republlcanism byword OF reproach in
all the nations OF the earth.
Such being the issues of the contest, how great
is the responsibility Of that man who will let the
ties Of the past bind him to support Of that
party which observation and history assured him
every day is the mightiest ally oil despolism, and
which, sooner or later, will quench in blood the
last hopes Of lreemen and the loftiest aspirations
Of patriots.