Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1857-02-18

We shouidnot, probably, have again referred
TO the eulogy pronounced upon Gov. Gardner by
Mr. Hopkins Of Northampton, had it not been
for the following paragraph in the Boston Daily
AdCeFtissr
"IRoNY IN SPEECH MISUNDERSTOOD
long ago learned that irony is dangerous form
Of expression, and We know of no striking
illustration Of tie fact than the comments to
which the speech IF Mr.. Hopkins Of Northamp
ton, made IN the Legislature on Saturday last
has given risa in the Worcester Spy and some
other papers. We DO not know that either the
gentleman OF his critics will thank US for the ex-
pisnetion, but "a il is due to the cause OF truth.
The speech was generally understood by those
who heard It, in the sense in which it was doubt
less INTENDED not in precise accordance with the
literal terms Of the language which was used"
The speech was delivered on the 7th, published
evidently with the authors revision, in the Id
sertisey and atlas, on The oth, and on the 18th,
the above paragraph appeared IN the Advertiser
We had not supposed that the originator of the
call for the straight" Republican Legislative
Caucus, would make the Daily Advertiser his
"organ, and therefore have waited in the hope
and expectation that Mr.. Hopkins would give
some explanation of this singular paragraph,
either through the press or in his place in the
House, or at least that he would have informed
the public, which portions of the speech were to
be understood literally, and which ironically.
The paragraph in the Adoeytiser leaves us in the
dark. as to this point. Three things are aimed
at, as zoe understand the English language, in
the speech--frst to justify himself for his early
action upon the election of United States SEN
ator; second Ito use his own language), 'to
vindieate the House, aud his E1celleney, the Cor
eynor !" and third, to " show up the Boston
Bee. +" The speech was generally understood, by
those who heard it." to be an earnest defence of
himself and Gov. Gardner and reproof of the
Bee. As neither Mr., Hopkins nor the Advertisey
informs which was ironcal and which serious,
we are left to judge by the speech and as the
Spy as referred to. as having misunderstood"
the irony, let us examine it.
Is the author of the straight" call serious or
ironical, when, in the first paragraph of his
speech, he declares that he supposed the two
wings had become, in the organization of the
House, and ipseparabIe forever
After quoting several extracts from the Bee,
Mr.. Hopkins proceeds 1.-THE italics are his):
subsequently articles containing extracts from
one OF two other papers in the Commonwealth of
the same purport, and headed, Insult to the GoU-
eynor were published in the Bee It is that
tentiOn Of the House, and upon which wish to
make some comments. And wish to state, for
the information of the people Of this Common
wealth, and for the defence of this House, in the
FIRST place, that there aoas no such intent as
charged SECOND, there icaS nothing in the CIR
cualStances 10 justify the suspicion of any
thing Of the kind; and THIRD, what | believe
10 be true, that The Governor aever an ms heart
deemed II 10 be an insult and that this charge on
the part Of some who purport to be his friends,
and who unfortunately rank themselves as such,
is without his sympathy APPRECIATION. For
while | wish to defend myself, | am equally anx-
ious to defend the Executive Of the Common.
wealth, in whose high character we all have
common interest and If it should appear, as the
result Of this explanation, that the Boston Dalty
Bee thus stands forth as the Rccuser and magn-
er of this House for its action in the election Of
Mr.. Sumner, wish that paper to be viewed, at
the pFesenc time in the light of its own conduct"
For" says Mr.. Hopkins, "while wish to
defend myself, am equally anxious to defend
the Executive of the Commonwealth" Which
of these is ironical
He proceeds:
Il. say there was no such intent. may be
supposed to know something with regard to the
original intent Of the mover Of the order leading
to the said election, and may be pardoned for
few words concerning myself personally.
twas my cherished purpose, from the time it
was first understood that the Legislature was con-
stituted with reference TO the reelection Of Mr.
Sumner, that that election should be consum-
mated soon practicable. Never did
thought of the transaction in its relation to the
Governor or his address occur TO me- Indeed,
the address was expected on the day the order
was offered The order was offered by me with
the appreciation of other members, who could
have had no idea OF purpose Of any insult to the
Governor"
Never did thought of the transaction in ITS
seloSsor, " Ak gros,a,.,o,. n,,,,r ~
must be one of the ironical portions. Surely,
when the whole public press of the State, for
three months. had been discussing, pro and con-,
the relation of the Governor to the senatorship,
and.especially as Mr.. Hopkins had, publicly and
privately, expressed the warmest interest in this
transaction, in its relation to the Governor
he cannot mean that this should be understood
literally
"Thus much for my motives. As to the mo-
tivss of the House in following my lead the mem
bers willform their own judgment The charge
against body like this, acting with such unani-
nifty, must fall by its own weight
When the next day the special assignment was
called for, various suggestions as to the expedi.
diency of proceeding with it were made by two
or three members but it never occurred 10 any
oneof the directors 10 suggest that 1t might be
garded as dtscourteoas to the GoUey7aOr. Such
suggestion was, however, made to me in private,
just as the election was about to proceed. and
went Immediately to my friend from Medford Mr.
Baker,, aud inquired il that was the concealed
ground Of objection, and expressing willingness
to waive the proceeding, if any wish Of the Gov
ernor expressed to that effect
He assured me that he knew Of no feeling on
the Governors part whatever"
Can it be that Mr. Hopkins means that he was
willing to 'waivel his cherished purpose" that
Mr.. Summers election "should be consummated
as soon as possible -!
II. There was nothing in the proceeding or its
incidents, to justify the suspicion of such in
tent.
1t was not as asserted, without precedent, to
do business before the Governor was qualified.
After referring to the precedent, in the case Of
thersception Of Kossuth, Mr.. Hopkins goes on
In view Of these facts, do say there was
nothing in the circumstances to Justify the shad
ow Of suspicion cf any insult to the Governor
Now come to the last point, and will be brief
upon il, namely that the Governor did not feel
it to BE- an insnlt TO himself IcannDt say that /
have had any positive information from him, but
cannot believe thatany chief magistrate. hold
ing the position that our excellent Governor
does, would allow his mind TO be poisoned by any
snch unfair suspicion. Moreover. we had his own
example, for fastening the concentration Of the
election OF Mr.. Sumner. On the day that he
stood on the steps OF this capitol, when he so
handsomely aud trnthiully welcomed Charles
Sumner back to Massachusetts, he used the fol-
lowing noble language, indicating the feelings
under which he acted, and indicating very clearly
the feelings under which this House acted when
they speedily elected Mr. sumner. He saws -
Z fnh rsaar Nae Oh, I