Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-04-21
Citp anb County SnteIligeitte.
REPUBLICAN MEETING AT THE CITY HALL.

Edwin Draper, w. W. Rice, Albert Tolman,
Henry c. Rice, Edward Earle, T. w. Ham
mond, S. A. Porter, Joseph Mason.
Secretaries-T. X. Earle, d. A. Goddard,
Abram Firth.
The President, on assuming the CHAIR spoke
of the character of that Republicanism which
the distinguished gentleman represented, paid
eloquent commendation to the fidelity of the
foreign born citizens of the West, to the rights
of men and the States, and closed by intro
ducing Mr.. Shurz to the audience, who was
received in most cordial manner.
He said he had seen it stated in the handbills
that the West sent through him its greetings
to the East; she sent them through one who is
full of the love of liberty and of its institutions.
He spoke of the character of the recent Repub-
lcan victories achieved in the Western States.
The victory in Wisconsin was achieved be-
cause they believed in the principles of the De
claration of Independence-the equality of
rights, as the foundation fall free governments.
He pointed to the slave States where equality
of rights was denied, and where all were
enslaved Whoever wished to be free could
only be SO by recognizing the right to free
dom in all others. Large numbers of foreign
born citizens are not so capable of self govern
ment as those who have breathed the air of
liberty from their cradles. But the privilege of
untrammelled self government is the best
schoolmaster. There is religious fanaticism in
the country, Oppose Thy fanaticism and it will
become stronger. True Democracy opposes
fanaticism with federation. We were apt to be
erty and lose sight of fundamental principles
We expected to cultivate liberty by restricting
its privileges. 1t was the dodge of despotism
the world over, that the people who are not
experienced in selfgovernment must be edu-
Gated under the iron rule of superior authority.
To this teacherous sophistry the fathers of
this Republic opposed the noble doctrine that
liberty is the best school for liberty, and that
self government cannot be learned but by
practicing it. This was true Americanism and
to it he paid the tribute of his profound devo-
ton. There was wonderful vitality in Democ-
racy founded on equality of rights.
1Oih tllS SlSetA tllAu lOSlCul NIdUOIdtlOA VI
these topics, enforced with eloquent statement
and apt illustration, he passed to the applica-
ton OF the principle to the facts and the ext
gencies of our own time. He had been charg.
ed with interfering with our local affairs, and
debating to Republicans their policy. Could
there be man in Massachusetts, unless he
were servant of the slave power, who could
not hear him advocate the equal rights of
man without feeling serious pangs of con-
science or who could not hear logical deduc-
tons drawn from the Declaration of indie
pendence without feeling a blush futtering
upon his cheeks. No, he would not NEEDLE
with our home concerns. Yet Massachusetts
occupied a representative position. Every one
OF her acts involved hundred fold response
bility, and her influence was felt from the At
lantic to the Pacific With this view he was
justified in speaking of question of 'localpol-
icy' SO far as it affected the interests of hui
mainly throughout the country.
Our battle, he continued, is yet to be fought,
and our victory was yet to won, not by New
England alone, but also by the great West.
Those who have followed the history of this
country for the last few years, must have seen
what power is growing in the West, which
may be able to decide the contest. They must
have heard the German accent in the bells of
st. Louis which pealed the tocsin of emanci-
patton. They must have known that colony
of German emigrants had planted the institu-
fiOr,c &C Lob -, Al q
slave system. In the thickest of the fight
wherever it is, you will find your adopted citi-
zens. The German heart beats instinctively
for freedom, and the German will always be
found by its side when he sees it full and clear
He cannot be bought, in a political sense, by
money; he cannot be bought by office or pre-
ferment, All he wants when he goes with a
political party is not to be sold
There was time when the people of New
England did not believe in the existence of an
anti-slavery German vote. But that time had
passed. How is it possible that party striy-
ing to open the great West to free labor, should
strike such blow at the equal rights of adopt
ed citizens ? He had fought last year in
AiAiioioJ oiuS W oiuS VIII A%illCOHi anu DuL
for this proscriptive policy, and the Know
Nothing affiliations of the party in other
States, they would have been victorious, and
Douglas, traitor to liberty, would have been
in the dust beneath their feet
1t is said the proposed amendment is for the
Irish. believe it. But if l am walking in
the streets with a friend, and man boxes my
ears, and then says he intended it for my
neighbor, do you not think feel it {? Let this
amendment pass, it will be said at the West,
"in Massachusetts the Republican party holds
undisputed sway. In their legislation they
discriminate against you. How do you know
but the same policy will be pursued if they
should have the power in the nation 2" With
such policy, the Western States would be
lost to Republicanism in the next battle.
But why prescribe even the Irish? Because
they vote wrong? They are not alone in vot-
ing wrong. Adopt these amendments for this
reason, and the next result will be that the
Germans will vote wrong, too. You say the
amendments will prevent illegal voting. Do
not believe it. The Democrats have cheated
you thousand times, and they will cheat you
thousand times again. 1t was said they
were necessary to complete bargain be-
tween contracting parties. Charles Sum-
ner was recently at one of the cafes in
Paris, where the subject of Italian independ.