The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1859-12-30

stances which surround us now in the
State of Massachusetts. Gentlemen, We
have had depicted to US the horrors OF
civil war. We have seen what would
come if this great and glorious republic
should like others of the old time, explode
under the commissions of civil wrath, ami
go down in destruction and darkness 10
tie realms of Erebus and Nox. We have
seen the dangers; and is there remedy
Can we avert these evils, Can we con-
tribute to avert them? We can--you
can. Gentlemen, it is most remarkable
in the present condition of the State OF
Massachusetts, that more than one halt OF
the registered voters of the Commonwealth
do obstinately and persisten.ly refuse to ex-
ercise the elective franchise; aye, more
than one half the registered voters OF
Massachusetts. And vet, the government
of a State is that which majority, an ap-
parent majority, of its people pronounce.
What is the voice of a majority of the peo-
| pie of this State? | say, more than one
half of it's registered voters have not, either
in speech or act, expressed themselves
They seem to have commenced at last to
discharge that great civil duty here to day
in Faneuil Hall. Will they, by their acts,
manifest their devotion and attachment to
| the honor of Massachusetts, Gentlemen,
[ speak here for no party.
have my own party prepossesslons,
strong enough, as you all know, but say
| speak for no party here. But | would
that you, the 1900 registered voters of
Massachusetts who do not vote, and who
have the voice and vote Of the State, and
leave the government of the State in the
hands of SIS 900 voters,-I would that you
would act. If you do not like the opin-
ions Of either of the parties now dividing
the country, rise in the majesty Of your
strength, and crush them all. (Applause.)
( a voice" They will do it at the proper
time.') | shall rejoice, sir, at any party
defeat which may befall me, 50 that the
Commonwealth lie restored to its proper
place in that resplendent galaxy of the con
stelations of the Union.
Gentlemen, band of drunken mutineers
has seized hold Of the political opinion of
this Commonwealth,- h,-avowed and pro-
claimed enemies of the Constitution of the
United States, nay, equally clamorous en-
emies of the Constitution of the State of
Massachusetts for these same persons de-
nonnce, vituperatc, and calumniate with
impartiality of wrath, both the par,ie.
which now divide the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts,. say, band of drunken
mutineers has seized hold of the control of
the public opinion of the State. Where?
Where is the helmsman Who is hea
CA voice" BurDham") This response
excited shouts of laughter. SO apt seem
ed the answer that every man in the hall,
ludcrous as it was, was for moment
thrown from his gravity.
Where, | ask, is the helmsman Has
he sold himself to the mutineers No,
gentlemen; but the mutinecrs stand with
pistol at bis head, commanding him to
obey or die And so the good ship of
State drifts on---driits, drifts, with the
storm bowling around, drifts on towards
the gulf Of perdition, with the black flag Of
the pirate flying at the mizzen; aye, and
the piratical deaths head at the fore; black,
black all from truck to keelson.
say, the good ship of State drifts on to
Perdltlon. loud and prolonged applause
And where are you, the citizens of Massa-
chusetts, who should be her officers and
crew! That good ship is freighted with
all your earthly hopes-you and your
wives and your dear children are there As
passengers, and you all sit in torpid apa-
thy, or shameful indecision, or stolid des-
pair. You all sit and see the drunken
mutineers, as they are about to blow up
the ship and all it contains, and you do
cot move q hand 10 rescue her from ruin
and to carry her back TO the path ofpeace
and security. | appeal TO you, citizens of
Massachusetts, | implore you, to awake
from this lethargy Rise, | say, in the
majesty of your might, and redeem the
honor and fame of the good old Common
wealth Enthusiastic cheerng)