Worcester daily spy., 1859-12-09
THE MEETING IN FANEUIL HALL.


spectacle gentlemen, many of whom, we sup
pose, have no thought of working for the dem
ocratic party, in whose behalf the meeting
was called. Ex-Gov. Lincoln of Worcester
presided. On taking the chair, he spoke at
some length, condemning in strong terms
John Browns doings in Virginia, and defining
his own position on the slavery question, as
follows =
"Fellow-citizens trust / need not say, in
this presence, that am no advocate for op-
preston in any of its forms. l am friend to
freedom, as are you ALL l would restrict
slavery to its narrowest legalized limits, and
do whatever was in my power to remove it
from the whole land, whenever, and as soon,
as in the goodness and mercy of God, it could
be done with wisdom and safety. We are all
lovers of liberty. There is not a single pro-
slavery man, in the opprobrious sense of that
term, in all this vast assembly no, not one."
Governor Lincoln evidently has large
charity, else he might have hesitated to say,
"No, not one;" and, he does not appear to be
conscious that this declaration in regard to
slavery will be treated by the Democratic
leaders at the South as an out-gush of incen-
diarism. Why, the men who rule the Demo-
cratic party threaten to destroy the Unian be-
cause the Republican party aims to restrict
slavery to its narrowest legalized limits"
without proposing any thing beyond this.
Sperking of the feelings excited throughout
the country by the slavery question, Gov.
Lincoln said =
"Recent deplorable events in sister state
have greatly intensified and expanded those
feelings, and given bitterness and alarming
significance to their expression; and, now, we
hear from large assemblies and conventions,
attended by men of respectable character, i'm
passioned and threatening resolutions, denun-
ciatory alike of the Union and the Consttu-
ton, of the government and its administration
under the compromises, upon which alone the
government could have been established.
Even a Senator of the State, Mr.. Parker of
Worcester, has found it necessary or thought
1t tit to offer an excuse for his oath of alegi-
ance to the Constitution, in TIE desire of place
under that very Constitution" Cheers.
As we did not hear Mr.. Parker's speech, to
which allusion is made, we cannot say how
nearly this hit touches that gentleman. There
is, however, serious mistake in another part
of the paragraph. We, at least, have not
heard of the large assemblies and conventions
in Massachusetts (which have passed resolu
tions" denuncatory alike of the Union and
the Constitution. Whatever else the recent
excitement may have done, it certainly has
not carried many persons so far as this. In
some parts of the south, it is an old custom to
do such things, but not in Massachusetts.
Among the other speakers at the meeting
were Edward Everett and Caleb Gushing
and there was a Inter from Ex-President
Pierce. The resolutions adopted were as fol-
lows =
Assembled at Faneuil Hall. in the city of Boston,
the 8th day OF December, 1859, i'll consideration
of recent events which have disturbed the pub
lie mind, and which have given just occasion for
the expression of patriotic sentiments becoming
our principles and obligations: Be it
Resolved, That as citizens of the Commonwealth
OF Massachusetts, forgetting none of the tr-
ais sacrifices and efforts by which National In
dependence was secured, and national compact
established, desire to seize this opportunity TO re-
and to repeat the feelings and duties which bind
us to our sister states and to the federal Union.
Resolved. That the people OF Massachusetts, how
ever many of them may have been mis-ed into ex
tayagant opinions and actions, nevertheless well
disposed in general to obey the laws, to maintain or
der and good government, to respect mutual rights
and obligations, and to disapprove whatever infuen-
ces lead III contrary direction; and regret that
the main body of our citizens too much through the
neglect of their political duties been often false
ly exhibited in the eyes ofhe nation by those whose
councils and conduct do not command the general
appreciation.
Resolved, That we look with indignation and ab-
horrence upon the recent invasion Of the Common
wealth of Virginia; that he wever narrow, or how
over comprehensive was the clandestine and iniqui-
tous scheme, in its instruments its execution it
was an undisgused assault upon the peace and wei.
fare of the whole country; that we deeply sympa-
tze with the people of Virginia in the trying scenes
which they have been called to pass through and
md fhQIr 0i fbr,st
the federal government our untailing countenance
and support in the maintenance of the laws of the
land and the public peace.
Resolved, That generous love of country is the
noDlest passion which can animate the soul of cit
izen in free state; and that the opposite sentiment
SO zeal0usy propagated of late by the fanatica min
listers of false philanthropy is fatal to the public
peace honor and welfare and deserves the seyerest
reprobation of every true American
Resolved, That the advantages and privileges
through the blessing of Divine Providence, enjoyed
by the people of this country, are unparalleled in
the history of nations; that we be deprived of
them only by our own want of due sense of their
value; and that intestine dssension, so often the
bane of ancient and modern states, alone expose
us TO the danger OF losing possessions SO inesIma-
Bile.
Resolved, That the unchangeable union of these
states indispensable to the prosperity and glory of
each and of all; and even to continued existence
as civilized and enlightened nation; and that in
league with our patriotic brethren throughout the
Umon, we solemnly pledge ourselves to uphold 1t
with "our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred hon
orr
Resolved, That we profoundly honor and cherish
the Constitution of the United States for the CON
summate wisdom and liberaty of its just and salu-
tary provisions; that are resolved to maintain
that great charter of liberties and safety by all
honorable means and faithfully and unreseryedly TO
carry out all its obligations and requirements
Resolved, That it is the bounden and highest duty
Of all the citizens of this country to discountenance
whatever may tend to produce alienation of feeling
or division of sentiment interest between the sew
era states, and zealously to cultivate and promote
every influence likely to advance and maintain the
most amicable relations among the whole people of
the United States.
Resolved, That we hereby denounce as worthy
OF the most unqualified condemnation, every demon
strauon and every expression of sentiment whether
pubic or private, tending TO eXtenuate, for the con-
duct or character of the criminal actors in the late
outrage in Virginia, to make them seem other
than the guilty agents and victims of anatical and
latal deluslon; and we hold those, in whatever sta
ton and of whatever profession whose opinions and
exhorations, heretofore ute red have SO manestly
tended TO this great wrong and crime, fully re-
sponsDle Ter II and all Its evil consequences, before
God and the country.
Resolved, That with the deepest emotions of ven
Grafton Tor the sagacity and patriotic spirit which
prompted the sentiments we reiterate the angua pe
of the father of his country in his farewell add
to the people of the United States that 1T Is of inf
mite moment that Ue should properly estimate the
immense value OF national union to our collective
and individual happiness that toe should cherish a
cordial, habitual, and immoyabe attachment to it
accustoming ourseVes to think and speak Of ii as OF
the palladium of political safety and prosperity
watching for its preservation with Jealous ANXIETY
dscOunenancing whatever may suggest even a sus
pciOn that il can In any event be abandoned, and
INDIGNANTLY frowning upon the first dawning o
every attempt to ALLEVIATE any portion of our coun
try from the rest, or TO enfeeble the sacred tie,
which now link together the various parts.
RANToUL AND CUsHING.-Mr. Gushing
obeys the summons, and will to-day pronounce
one OF his peerless vindications of the demo
cratic faith Boston Post, 8h.
T..