Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1857-09-09


the old system is like the journalism Of Louis Ma
poleon, as compared with that of England or the
| United States. There is no higher mission in
either country than that Of the independent Jour
nalist; but it is maintained only by superior Wis
| dom and high integrity. In the absence Of either
it sinks to the ancient level. But while it is an
elevated, it is also private interest. As a cand-
date for popular support, 1 cannot, and do not
desire to command it. | cannot say such are my
1 views and such my obiects-present them and de-
| tend them. ask Of the press only common JUS
tce and fairness in the discussion Of public affairs
| aad that doubt not shall receive. And there
| tore, when am called upon as a candidate for Of
fee to declare my views, assume it to be con-
sIstent with the general changes 1 have indicated,
| as well as with public expeetatiOn-to announce
in person the opinions I entertain and the princ-
! pies Of action by which 1 shall be governed I
| have upon this principle, accepted the welcome
invitation to meet you and shall not hesitate here
| after In becoming manner, trust, to meet face
to face other portions of the people of Massaehu-
sets, and to declare in person my views whenever
| they shall desire it.
I intend religiousy to support the union of the
| States; the principles upon which it was organ
| lied, and the Constitution by which it is main
tanned. l demand for the North, and will accede
to the South every right that be claimed under
the Constitution. l regard free labor the
stone Of our prosperity and the observance of the
reserved rights of the States the foundation of
| our success as n government [ resist inter-
ference with slave labor in the States where it ex-
lists, but am infexibly opposed to its extension
| beyond where it now exists. l am opposed
to the admission of other slave States or the ac-
QUESTION of territory for the formation of Sieve
| States. 1 entertain no doubts of the power of
| Congress to prohibit slavery in the territories
| or that it ought to exercise that power
| l protest against the usurpation of the courts
in assuming to decide as judicial questions,
propositions which are in their nature, and from
! the foundation of the government have always
been regarded as popular and political ques-
tons. AS your representative, l will demand
that something of the power of the government of
the States shall be directed to the development of
Chrstian-like and civilizing industrial interests,
rather than to the Redistribution of barbaric
toms and the prOpagandism of African slavery.
Andif we are compelled to pass upon the further
acquisition of Southern territory, even though it
bring upon us dishonor and war in the process,
upon the stale pretence of insufficient national de-
fenses we will demand that the acquisition of fer
tile and free territory the North, by honorable
and peaceful negotiation, SHALL acre by acre, and
province by province, keep step with the extern
sion of our borders on the South
There is another subject to which our attention
is forcibly called by every days history, and upon
which do not hesitate to pronounce my recorded
opinions. L think it may be stated as general
truth, beyond question, that the right to govern
this country belongs to the American people. l
speak it in no proscrptiYe sense, but in the free
and generous spirit IN which it spoken by
American statesmen in the Convention that framed
the Constitution, to those of foreign birth who
had incurred with them the perils Of the revolu-
ton. We may extend to foreigners right of
participation in our government, but we oughtnot
to surrender under any circumstances right of
absolute control. In other times they came in
small numbers, and were the ardent friends lib
erty. Now they come in clouds, and while they
claim sympathy as refugees from oppression,
which has driven them from their homes, they be-
come here, with some exceptions whether inten-
tOnally or not, the supporters of policy that we
think is likely to fasten upon entire continent
the worst system of oppression the world knows
and which threatens the eXetence of Republican
liberty here in its last stronghold In recognition
of the conceded truth that every man is not capa-
bic OF participating in government, we require Of
its native sons q long and severe pupilage before
admitting them to the inestimabe privileges Of
the elective franchise. But the same is ncwhere
required Of the foreigner; and IN some parts of
the country, within year of his arrival, he be-
comes a full-fedged citizen We have reason to
believe that in too many instances, large numbers
of them take instruction in regard to political
duties from eeclesiastic authority, which is not
necessarily identified with the country, either in
sympathy or citizenship. We cannot be unmind-
full that perhaps without intentional wrong on
their part, OurCrOWQeu cues, QnpElnGlpleu men
of our own race make use OF the material afforded
them in the large numbers Of emigrants who sud-
denly become voters to Yitiate the franchise of
freemen and corrupt elections. l asSai no man on
account of his religion, or because of his birth
place; but these things in my Judgment demand
some attention. l think there should be estab-
lished in some manner, q higher test of the Ca
pacity of an applicant for citizenship to appreci-
ate and exercise the powers Of freemen; that the
manner of comforting the privilege Of citizenship
should be more impressive and imposing; that leg
islative safeguards should be thrown around the
ballot-box to protect the rights of the public
from the gigantic frauds which have been COM
mitted, in which fresh and uninstructed voters
unconsciously made participants in great
violation Of public right. / am opposed to mill
tary organizations composed exclusively of for
elgners, and believe that the term Of residence
now required, before citizenship or the right to
vote is conferred, should be materially extended;
that its recipient may have opportunity by patient
observation ndstudy, in the language Of Milton:
eTo know.
Both spiritual power and civil; what each means,
WHAT sewers each, which few have learned"
Entertaining no doubt that the great body of the
people of this State concur in such views | shall
cheerfully assent to every wise and just measure
which promises adequate remedy for the evils
of which we complain. | cannot forbear to call
the attention to another consideration in this con-
neetion. The civil wars in the East have a resist
less tendency to break up the settled habits of life
among many millions of eastern subjects The i'm
perial DEGREES against expatriation have not been
sufficient in times of peace to deter the Chinese
from over-running some of the islands of the
equator They WAL in time feel their way to this
continent IN great numbers. There are many
thousands already on the Pacific coast, who main
tain communication with the people in their over
crowed country, and when the new exodus breaks
upon us, as it inevitably must, there will be no
power If there be desire, to drive them from our
shores. Shall they become at once, with their
ideas of religion and government, American
citizens or shall leave it to judicial officers to
determine, as they must, whether to admit or ex-
clude them upon some revived theories Of caste!
L look with pride upon the educational and
philanthrophic institutions Of the State-institu-
tions which shower upon the poor and the rich the
inestimable blessings of learning, with the same
unsparing and equal hand that nature confers her
intellectual wealth-teach the deaf to hear, the
dumb to speak, and seeks even to revive, if not to
implant, soul in the feeblest and most imperfect
forms of human life.
honor the citizen Soldiery of the Common
wealth, and in whatever condition | am placed, l
shall leave no opportunity unimproved to advance
its interests Upon all subjects of local cgisla.
ton, it is my purpose to hold myself uncommitted
and independent, ready to meet all questions when
they shall arise, and to decide them, in my
judgment the interests of the State and the well
fare of the people may then require. The agent
of no coterie, and the servant of private inter-
ests, | shall be governed only by considerations
of public honor and public duty.
enter the public service, if l enter it at all,