Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-08-30
congressional district was appointed 10 report
an address and resolutions to the convention.
The committee consisted off,

l ne committee consisted OF:
At LAReE-J Q A Griffin of Charlestown. Gershom
Weston OF Duxbbry. Erastus Hopkins Of Northampton
Charles u Ellis OF Boston, Seth Webb, Jr, OF Scituate
Moses Kinbal Boston.
Robinson, Middleboro g. John G Netcaif, Mendon; l.
Charles Hail. Boston; S, GRAY W Messenger Boston:
l. A Bonney. LoweiI 3, Henry Rice worcester; TO-
L soule, Springfield; Il, Emmons Arnold.
Mr.. Brigham of Boston moved the appoint
ment of similar committee to report two
electors at large, and that 4 list of district
electors be made by the various district dele
cations. The first clause of the motion was
adopted, and the last was laid on the table,
the choice of district electors being left to the
senatorial conventions. On the motion of Mr..
Baldwin of Worcester, Hon. CHARLES SUM
NER was invited to address the convention.
When he assembled the platform the large hall
rung with cheers and various demonstrations
of applause, continued for considerable time.
The reception, after his long absence from the
political center of Massachusetts, was one
of the most honorable and gratifying charac-
ter When the applause subsidized, Mr.. Sum-
ncr addressed the convention as follows -
mK GUNNER ADOhESSs
Mr.. PRESIDENT 1t is now six years since l had
the honor Of meeting my republican fellow-ctzens Of
Massachusetts, in state convention drawn together from
all parts of beloved commonwealth and then also
remember we- was at this good place of Worcester.
Returning last with restored health the activities
ofpublic life am happy again in this opportunity. 1t
is pleasant look in the faces of friends and feel
the sympathy OF kindred hearts.
Nor can disguise the satisfaction which ! find at
being here in Worceser-the early and constant home
of the republican cause. When other places even in
Massachusetts,. lukeWarm for freedom Worcpeter
earnest, and when the defeated in other
counties, here, under the lead Of eminent citizen
the ornament of the bench-it trumphed by brill
liant majorteS that Worcester became known, not
only throughout Massachusetts. but everywhere
throughout the country our nvincible stronghold
Long ago, while America was yet unsettled wilder
ness, an English poet depicted central county Of our
mother land as
CALL
and this ancient verse has furnished a descriptive
phrase which has been aptiy applied to Worcester
"he heart as it is the central county Of Massachusetts
But though truly belonging to Worcester on this ac-
count have been always glad to believe that it only
justly depicted her as the "hear of onr causehere at
least in Massachusetts.
If that cause of common political interest-f it
turned only some question Of mere pOcy-or If it
involved simply the honors and emoluments of office
should willingly leave the contest to Others 1t would
have little attraction for me. But it is far above all
these things 1t concerns the permanent well being
primarily, OF all the outlying territories OF the republic
broad enough for empires-now menaced by slavery
and since part of the body cannot suffer without all
being affected, 1t concerns the permanent wellbeing
and also the good OF the whole country clouded
by the growing influence OF slavery Nor is this ALL
The special motive for the proposedexension of slavery
is to tOry the slave power in the OF the United
States and through the assured preponderance of this
power there to control the national government its
legislation, Its diplomacy, and its offices, that in
Short no law can be passed no treaty be ratified,
and no individual though possessing all possible fitness
for public service be confirmed for office of any
kind without the consent OF the slave power: thus.
thrppn has ptrn11in i,fn itoalf
seeking, therefore, by active measues-l say active
measures-o save the territories you seek also
the whole country not only from blasting influence,
but also from degrading rule, which ostracses from
office all who avOw the early opinions Of the fathers
such is our Cause stated in all simplicity without il
lustraton or argument Strange that it is not recog
nized at once by every patriot heart; strange that
should be compelled TO vndicate sometimes against
open foes, and sometimes-harder sl-against others
who betray it with kias.
In the coming election this has its representa-
tive in Abraham Lincoln. And why has he been select
ed? Not simply because he is popular favorite in the
great north-west OF bameless life, of unimpeachabe
integrity, of acknowledged Abilities and of practical
talent, all OF which OF unquestlonabe recommends
lions, shared however by many othersbut because
had made himself the determined champion of the
prohibition of slavery in the territories: stating the
case with knowledge with moderation and yet with
openly his hatred Of slavery-iken
ing its introduction in the territories to the Canada
thistle, which few may plant to the detrment VI sue
ceedng generations and then again snakes deposited
in the cradle of an infanand especially exposing the
would despo congress of all power over this subject
and transfer it to the distant handful Of settlers
On two different occasions his have been put
forth and developed: first in his controversy with Mr.
Douglas in Illinois, and secondly in his address before
the republican young men in New York. He does not
need my paise nor would step aside from this argu-
ment 10 praise anybody but may fifty call attention
to this mastery address which in careful research
clearness OF statement and dectness of purpose NAV
well compare with any OF the nnumerabe speeches
made relating the power of congress over the
On the IL processes il ia
Perhaps it is not too much to say that
this effort was needed to complete his title to that
public confidence which made him candidate. 1t is
for the prohibition Of slavery in the territories that he
has abored and excepting his brief but honorable ex
perience in congress- his public life may lie summed up
in this single service less. Let the mag
nude Of the service be measured y his present position
us the representative of our cause
Arrayed on the other side three other candidates
for the presidency-Bell Breckenridge and Douglas-f
mention them in alphabetical order-differing super
ciay from each other but all concurrng in friendship
Tor slavery and in opposition to its prohibition in the
territories, and with followers ready in order TO defeat
republican party To coaesce or fuse with each other
In this readiness you the antagonism. No
person in the republican party think of coalition or
fusion with either Of these three parties for they each
and all represent in form hostility to the prohibit
ton Of slavery and therefore, must be opposed each
and all The whole trio no better than Mrs. Mala
props idea Of Cerberus, three gentlemen rolled into
one" and must be opposed together.
Looking at them separately, there is first the Bell
party. Pardon me if use freely. 1t is merely
LOT the sake OF convenience This party known among
us only by its boasts draws its practical support from
the slave states II is prosaveTy party-especialy
hostile to the prohibition of slavery in the territories
but in its direct avOwas dealing in plausible generali
ties, which, if they have any meaning, mean slavery
exalling the constitution savemasters understand
itaso exalting the Union in order gain credit for
Saving tand calling for the enforcement Of the laws,
meaning simply the enforcement of the only act of
gress which slavemasters Tecognize-that for the
render Offugtve slaves. Your indulgence would hardly
excuse me- If occupied time in argument against this
combination, which, without declaring single nrinci
pie without any chance Of majority in the electoral
colleges, and without any chance Of single electoral
vote IN the free states Tor luck which, with only
single possible vote in the house of representatives,
where seeks for revolutionary purpose TO transfer
the election again proposes to run for luck. Its plan,
so far as known, is this You will remember that by
the constitution OF the United States in the event Of
failure TO elect by the people, the house OF representa-
tVes is empowered TO choose president out Of the
three highest candidates for that Office and the
TO choose vice president out Of the two highest cand
dates for that office. Now, assuming first that the
publican candidate will not DO elected by the people
hhch you know TO be very wild assumption; and
secondly, assuming that there will be election OF
president by the house. this party turning the
vice presidency assumes thirdly that Mr. Everett will
De one VI the two highest candidates for the vice pres
dency aud fourthy that Mr. Everett will be elected by
the senate vice president and then will become presi-
dent like John Tyler and Willard Fillmore-not through
the death OF president but through the double failure
by the people and by the house. Such the calculation
by which this band Of prOessed conservatives seek to
give repose TO the country Permit say that IL il
only equaled by the extravaganza of Mrs ToOes in
the farce whose passion purchase ancient arti-
Giles Of furniture at auction under the idea that they
might some day be useful Once to the amazement or
her husband she brought home brass doorpate with
the name Of Thompson spelled with p "But what is
this forY' he demanded. why" said Mrs Toodles
with logic worthy of the Bell party though have
been married many years without children it is posi-
BILE my dear, that we may have child that child may
De daughter and may live TO the age Of maturity, and
shem may marry man Of the Of Thompson, spelled
with Z. Then how handy it will be to have this
doorpate IN the housed doubt if any person really
familiar with affairs can consider this nomination for
the vice presidency Of more practical value than Mrs
Toodes brass doorplate with the the Of Thompson
spelled with T., picked up at an auction rom But