The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-06-22
Edward Everett.

In Western Massachusetts,, temporarily here on
business. has handed to us for publication the
appended article, published some years ago in
a Massachusetts, paper, showing the crouchng
timidity Of Edward Everett-thc dead mems
candidate for the Presidency. There Is littleo or
no call for the publication Of anything which
will bear on Mr.. Eyerctt's chances tor the Pres
idency, but as matter Of history We publish
and comply with the wishes Of our friend:
EDWARD EvERErr.-Mr. Everett's miserably
timid course In the Senate is only in harmony
with his past action on the slavery question:
When Governor OF Massachusetts,, he seriously
proposed, in message to the Legislature, to
make the discussion of slavery an otfense, pun
ishable by law! In December, 1925, he entered
Congress as the representative Of the plains OF
Concord and lexington TWAS his first APP
pearance in that body; and March 0, 1926, he
made speech in the House, in which he de-
Tended and eulogized slavery so extravagantly
rs to shock shareholders and to draw upon him
self some Of the most scornful and whitening
rebukcs ever heard there. Here are some SEN
fences from that speech:-
"Sir. am no soldier. My habits and educa-
ton are very unmiltary; but there Is no cause
In which would sooner buckle knapsaok on
my back, and put musket on my shoulder,
than that of putting down seryile instruction
at the South The great relation OF servitude,
In some form or other, with greater or less de-
parture from the theoretic equality OF men, Is
nseparable.from our nature Domestic slave.
~ Is not, In my Judgment, to be set down rs an
immoral or irrelgious relation. No sir, the
New Testament says Slaves obey your mas
ters.' I cannot admit that Its duties are not
pro-supp0sed and sanctioned by religion Il
know Of no way by which the FORM OF TINS ser;
vitudo con be fixed, but by political institution"
lie was followed by Mr.. Mitchell, of Tennes-
see-a stakeholder, and the representative o.
sayeholders-who said, with the earnest tops
Of Indignation:
"Sir, do not 60 the length of the gentleman
from Massachusetts,, and hold that the existence
Of slavery In this country is almost blessing.
On the contrary, l am firmly settled In the
opinion that II Is q great curse-one OF the
greatest evils that could have been interviewer
into our system. /, Mr.. Chairman, am one OF
those whom these poor wretches call MASTER
do not tax them; feed and clothe them well:
but yet, alas, sir, they are slaves, and slavery
is q curse in any shape
The base and abject tone Of Mr.. Everett's
speech reused the indignant scorn Of the cele-
brated John Randolph, who fastened his fiery
eye upon him, stretched forth that long and ell
oqucnt finger, and said with indcscribable scorn
and contempt:
"Sir, envy neither the head nor the heart OF
that man from the North, who rises here to de-
fend slavery upon principle!'
Churchell c. Cambreleng Of New York,
ashamed Of this recreant representative Of the
soil Of Lexington and Concord, hurled the live
thunder of indignation at him rs follows:
"The gentleman from Massachusetts, has
gone too Ear. lie has expressed opinions which
ought not to escape without animadversion.-
heard them with equal surprise and regret
was astonished TO hear him declare that slave
ry-'domestic slavery, say what men will, Is
condition Of life as well rs any other. to be JUS.
tilted by morality, religion, and international
law and when at the close OF his opinions he
solemnly declared that this was his confession
of faith lamented, sincerely lamented, that
.Star.eyed science should have wandered there
To bring US back the message OF despair
IF, sir, amid the wild visions OF German phi.
losophy, I had arrived at q conclusion like
this; II In the Aul9 Of Gottingen had ever per-
suaded myselfto adopt political maxim 50
hostile to liberal institutions and the rights OF
mankind, would have locked Il up forever In
the darkest chamber Of my mind. Or, II my
zeal had been too ardent for my discretion, this
place, at least, should never have been the the
alter of my cloquence. No, sir. II such had been
m, doctrines, woull have turned my back
forever on my native land. Following the
course OF the dark rolling Danube, aRd cutting
my way across the Euxine, would have visit
ell well known market place Of Constantine
pie, and there preached my doctrines amidst
the rafting chains of the wrciched captiycs.-
Nay, sir. would have gone thence, and laid
my fJrehead upon the fo0t-stoOl OF the Sultan,
and bcsought him to set his foot upon my neck,
as the recreant citizen ofa rccrcant republic
II Is wonder, that man whose record ID
50 Infamous should be chosen aScnator Of Mas
sachusctts. Probably 1t could have been done
ut no other time than the year 1883, when the
public mind had become sadly debauched by
the efforts Of Webster. Fillmore & Co. In behalf
Of the fugitive slave law.