Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1857-11-03


Boston, Oct. 80, 1857.
Dear Sir--Whatever may be a mans private or
professional engagements or obligations, he
ought not, in country like ours, entirely to dis
regard his political duties and had hoped, be-
fore the campaign should close, to be able to do
something towards expressing my strong desire
for the success of Mr.. Banks. But l find myself
unable 10 meet my engagement, which but
conditional, with MIR. Rantoul, for this evening.
Still, with your leave, would like, through you,
say word to the audience, if you think what
follows worthy of their attention.
The history of this country is to turn upon the
doctrine proclaimed by the President of the Uni.
ted States in mis- letter to the gentlemen of New
Haven. Announced by the head of the govern
ment, it will be the policy of the government for
four years. Proclaimedby the head of victori-
Gus party, it will be the doctrine Of that party
til it shall bring that party or the country to
ruin. 1t will be supported by the slave power,
and by those who are in the habit of aiding that
power, or Of yielding to it, Nor does this doe
trine 20 alone. 1t carries others necessarily
along with it. 1t not only makes slavery the per-
manent law Of every territory, but it introduces
slavery into the law of every free State-tempo.
rary and transient slavery, to be sure, but liable
TO arise everywhere and at every hour.
Coming upon US with this overshadowing pow
er, and with such chances OF victory, no man can
longer be excused from active and earnest re-
sistance. Hereafter every man goes into one of
three classes, those who support, those who OPP
pose, and those who submit to this claim for
slavery. Mr.. Beach and his party are of the
class that support it. Mr.. Banks and his sup
porters are Of the class that oppose it. Mr.
Gardner and his supporters will be mainly Of the
class who will yield to it. There are honor
able exceptions among them, but they, like the
Thames waterman; without knowing il, are look
ing one way and rowing another.
There was time when slavery presented itself
as an abstract question. That time is now gone
By. Il is now practical question in politics.
1t is a question Of imminent and a paramount
importance. 1t goes to every mans bosom and
every mans business. While, on the one hand,
it is TO determine the public destiny OF America,
on the other it affects the value Of every blade of
grass and every stroke Of the carpenters plane
II Mr. Buchanan's doctrine prevails, the history
Of America will be written one way IL il is
oyerthrown, II will be written another way The
first page Of that history TO be written, is the
election in Massachusetts, on next Tuesday. Let
il be written in letters Of light l propose to
write my part Of it by putting the name Of Mr..
Banks into the ballot box.
AZ 10 the State and local issues, do not pro
fess On intimate acquaintance with them. have
usually observed, however, that as TO these It il
difficult 10 tell what year may bring forth. Il
is difficult 10 anticipate what new questions MAJ
arise, or in what form old questions may present
themselves. / believe, then, the wsest course Il
10 take the man in whom you place the mos
general confidence. Mr.. Beach is put out Of thu
question by his national politics, and between
Mr.. Gardner aud Mr. Banks, while the nationa
position Of Mr.. Banks we know, and that Of Mr.
Gardner we cannot calculate upon, In all Other
respects a. regards the gentlemen themselves
and still more, as regards the class OF persons
likely TO accompany each into power, and give
character 70 their administrations / feel entire
confidence that we have made the choice best
suited 10 an intellectual and dienifed community
Believe Inc very truly yours
RIcH'D II. DANA, Jr.
James Kimball, Esq.