Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-08-30

from Worcester to hear his speech, last Mou-
day evening sends us the following account OF
it. That part of the communication which
relates to Mr. Aldrich will undoubtedly call
forth such reply as will fully vindicate that
gentleman, and silence all question in regard
to the veracity of his statement :
FIrcHBURG, Aug %, 1860.
A large audience assembled in the town hall
last evening, to listen to Mr.. Thayer's reply
to the addresses Of Messrs. Bailey and Aldrich.
Mr.. Thayer entered the hall amid much en-.
thusiasm, and was introduced to his audience
by II. L. Reed, Esq, principal of the high
school, who presided during the evening. Mr..
Thayer reviewed the argument of Mr. Bailey,
in favor OF Intervention by congress in relation
to slavery i'll the territories.
He showed that the ordinance of 1877 did
not keep slavery out of Indiana and Illinois !;
that the number of slaves continued steadily
to increase during the whole period of their
territorial condition. In twenty years after
the passage Of that ordinance, there were more
than 1900 siaves in the territory that this slave.
ry was introduced mainly by federal office
holders. The council, who acted so conspicu-
Gus part in behalf of the pro slavery petitions
sent to Washington, was appointed by the fed
eral executive that in spite of the pro slavery
influence at their officials, the people decided
in their state government to remove slavery
The northwest owes its freedom not to polit
clans at Was hington, but to her own freedom
loving citizens. Mr.. Thayer was. opposed to
giving this glory to politicians, while we rob
the people, and free labor, of their well earned
lands
Mr. T. then showed that in case congress
sional intervention had been practical, and was
an efficient policy for freedom ffly gears ago, it
is not now and never can be. Circumstances
have changed All our territories are certain
to be settled by those opposed to slavery. A
large and increasing political party has taken
the ground that the constitution itself prohibits
slavery in all our territories. This is higher
antisIavery position than ever before taken.
Prohibition by the constitution is stronger than
prohibition by congress
Mr.. Thayer then showed that erecutive inter
ve,tion in Kansas had occasioned all the trou-
bles which had affected that territory, and was
surprised that Mr.. Bailey should claim that
these troubles were occasoned by popular SOW
ereignty Honest popular sovereignty was
all the treemen of Kansas desired but never
obtained.
Mr.. Thayer then requested any gentleman
in the audience to suggest any case which
does eriSt, or can eriSt, in which congressional
legislation on the subject of slavery in the ter.
rtories can be of the slightest avail. He
paused for a reply, but no one answered. He
then showed that such action must, hence
forth, be either needless or useless therefore,
always an abstraction The practicable aim
should be to elect president of the republican
faith, and to secure as soon as possible Il court
which would give the republican construction
of the constitution. Then those who labor to
have the republican party expend its strength
upon impracticable measures are the political
enemies of freedom.
Mr. Thayer invited any person in the audi
ence to show that he was not sound republi-
can, or that his views or votes were in any
way in contravention of the Chicago platform.
He theR replied to Mr.. Aldrichs charge OF
cowardice in a manner worthy Of the history
of the speaker and of the occasion.
The audience were evidently in warm sym
patty with Mr.. Thayer throughout his adj
dress, and frequently gave him the most en-
thusiastic applause Mr.. Thayer gave most
complete retutation of the charge of faisehood
made by Z. Emory Aldrich, last Friday night,
in relation to Mr.. Thayer's statement that he
(Aldrch) had Solicited the privilege" of
speaking in reply to Mr.. Thayer, in "a meet
ing which the committee should call" Mr..
Aldrich had also said he had been invited by
a Unanimous vote" of the city committee. Mr..
Thayer read the following letter from A. H.
Burbank, Esq, a member of that commit
tee
Hon. Eli TAaya-DEAR SIR AT meet
ing of the republican city committee of the
city of Worcester, held on the first or second
inst, Mr.. Aldrch having been present and
having retired--one of the committee said
''that inasmuch as Mr. Adrich wishes to reply
to the speech Of Mr.. Thayer, made in the City
Hall, move that a meeting OF the party be
called for the purpose Of listening to an adj