Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-12-20
MISCELL A N Y /.
speech of Hon. Edward Everett.

M s 9 Ii IL u A ~ Z.
Speech of Hon. Edward Everett.
At the great Union meeting in Boston, on the
9Th inst, the Hon. Edward Everett delivered the
following speech:
Mr.. Chairman and Fslloac-citisens In rising
to address you, on this important occasion, in
dulge me in few words of personal explanation.
did not suppose that anything would occur
which would make me think it my duty to ap-
pear again on this platform, on any occasion OF
a politcal character, and had this meeting been
of a party nature or designed to promote any
party purposes, should not have been here
When compelled by the prostration of health
five years ago to resign the distinguished place
which then filled in the public service, 1t was
with no expectation, no wish, and no intention
of ever again mingling in the scenes OF pubic
life. have accordingly, with the partial resto-
ration of nv health, abstaned from all partici-
patton in political action of any kind partly be-
cause have found more congenial, aud as
venture to think, more useful occupation IN
seeking to rally the affection of my countrymen
North aid South to that great name and pre-
cious memory which is left almost alone OF oil
the pumerous kindly associations which once
hound the different sections of the country to-
al
the extremes of opinion that have long distract
ed and now threaten to convulse the country, |
find no middle ground of practical usefulness, on
which friend OF moderate counses can stand.
Ii think do little good try to-in my wa
ming wears, in augmentng the funds OF the char
liable institutions, commemorating from time to
time the honored dead aud the great events of
past DAYS, and chiefly in my humble efforts to
rescue from desecration and the yicissitudes of
private property the home and grave OF Wash
ington. [Applause.l
These. seem to one to be innocent and appropr-
ate occupations fer the decline oflife. am more
than contented with the favor with which these
nv humble labors are regarded by the great ma
iority of nv countrymen and knowing by ex-
perieuce how unsatisfyipg in the enjoyment are
the brightest prizes OF political ambition, glad
lly resign the pursuit of them to younger men,
Sir, the North and South, including the North
west and Southwest have become tercely, Bit
terly arrsyed against each other. There is no
place left in public life for those who love them
both. The war of words-of the press, of the
platform, of the State Legislature, and, must |
add. the pulpit-has been pushed to q point OF
evaporation, which, on the slightest untoward
accident, may rush to the bloody arbitrament OF
the sword. The great ancient master OF politi-
cal science, Aristotle, tells US, that though revo-
lutions do not take place fer small causes, they
do from small causes. He means, sir, that when
tbe minds of the community have become hope
lessly embittered and exasperated by long con.
tinued irritation, the slightest occurrence Will
bring on the catastrophe In iact, 1t seems to
me that we have reached state OF things which
requires ali good men and good patriots to fore
90 for time all mere party projects and cal.
culations, and to abandon all ordinary political
Issues which calls in word, upon all who love
the county and cherish the Union, and desire
the continuance of those blessings which we
have till lately enjoyed under the Constitution
transmitted to us by our fathers, and which
regard as the noblest work OF political wisdom
ever achieved, to meet as one man and take
counsel for its preservation. [Applause.l
1t is this feeling that brings me here to-day
1t will probably be said, sir, that those who en-
tertain views ike these exsggerate the gravity
of the crisis. wish l could think 80. But
fear it is not we who exaggerate, but those who
differ from US, that greaty-and soon fear, il
will be, fatally-underrate the ominous signs o.
the times, fear sir, that they are greatly mslec
by the onesided views exclusively presented by
the party press, and those who rely upon tht
party press exclusively for their impressions, ano
that they are dangerously ignorant OF the ststt
of opinion and feeling in the other great sections
of the country. Applause. Igreatly tear tha
the mass OF the community, long accustomed te
treat all alarm for the stability of the Union q
grouudless, all professed anxiety for its preser-
vation as insncere, or, il sincere, the result o.
nervous timidity, have untitled themselves te
measure the extent and the urgency OF the sx-
isting danger. 1t is my own deliberate conyic-
ton, formed from some Opportunities OF person
al observation, and friendly correspondence with
other parts of the country, Though carry on
none of political nature,) that we are on the
very verge of q convusion which will shake the
very Union TO its foundation and that few
more steps forward in the direction in which af-
fairs have moved for afew years past, will bring
US to the catastrophe. have heard iturged on
former occasions of public alarm, that it must
be groundless, because business goes on as usual,
and the theatres are open aud stocks keep up.
| Sir, these appearances may all be deluslve.-
| The great social machine moves with momen-
tum that cannot be suddenly stopped The Or
binary operations of business went on in France
in the revolution of 1T89 till the anniEiladon OF
the circulating medium put stop to everything
that required its use. The theatres and all the
other places of public amusement were crowded
to madness in the Reign of Terror. The French
stocks never stood better than they did in Paris
on the 21st Of February, ls4S On the Gath Of
that month Louis Philippe was flying in disguise
from his capital; the Tulleries was sacked, and
the Oldest monarchy in Europe ceased to EXIST
| hold it to be time, as | have said, for good
men and good patriots, casting aside all mere
party considerations, and postponing at least all
ordinary political issues, to pause, to look stead
lily in the face the condition of things to which
we are approaching; and to ask their own con-
sciences whether they can do nothing to avert
the crisis, and bring about happier and better
state of things. [Applause.] do not ask them
to search the past tor topics of reproach or re-
elimination ON men and parties. We have had
enough of that, and it has contributed materially
to bring about our present perilous condition.
10 all countries where speech and the press are
free, especially those countries which by con-
trolling natural causes fall into two great sec
tions, each possessing independent local Legisla
lures and centres of opinion and influence, there
will, in the lapse of time, unavoidably be action