New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-10-02
MASSACHUSETTS REPUBLICAN
STATE CONVENTION,
SPEECH OF HON, CHARLES SUMNER.
Wonc,.tEa, Tae.dsy. on. {. ls6I.

woEcpsrss, Tuesdsy. Oct I. iS6i.
The Republican State Convention was called TO
order at II O'Clock this morning by WIN. A. Chap
lin, Chairman of The State Committee.
The Convention was very fully attended.
The Hon. II. l.. Dawes was elected President,
with the usual number Of iee-Psesidents and Seere-
taries.
Gov. ASDREw was renomiuatsd by reclamation,
only one voice in the negative.
a motion prevailed almost unanimously, referring
tic other nominations on the ticket TO Select Com
mtee of two delegates from each Congressional
District, which were appointed.
The Committee on Resolutions reported series,
which were unanimously adopted.
The resolutions declase in effect that the main
tenance Of the Constitution transeends any other
question, and demands the life Snd property OF all
citizens; express derire for a union of all the
friends of the country against its pretended friends
and open enemies dectsre that no rights secured to
loyal citzcns shall be endangered aud disioyal eiti-
Gems have no rights adverse to those who are loyal;
approve the acts Of the Administrations recognize
the devotion of the volunteers iDdOrse the acts Of
Gov. Andrew, and recommend the exercise Of great
care in uominatiug subordinate oficers.
Charles Sumner then addressed tho Convention,
az follows:
FELLOW CuIzESs; In meeting my fellow citizens
Of Massachusetts,, who have como together on this
occason from all parts of the Commonwealth, find
mysef in familiar sccne but | feel that there has
been change. Yes there has been agreat change,
and it is felt in our Convention.
We are no longer mes as 30 often in times past for
purposcs Of controversy, or 60 sustain oar Cause by
argument. That hour has passed. Formerly have
exposed to YOU the atrocities Of ibe fugitive slayo
bill; Lave rejoiccd to show that freedom WIS No.
tional aud Slavery SECTIONAL have siriyen to pre-
vent The extension of Slavery into the territories
have yindeated especially freedom ia Kansas, az
sailed BY saycholding couspirtors; have exposed
the tyrannical uslrratOns of the slave cligarchyi
and have dragged icto day the whole vast intense
barbarisu OF slavery. But these topics have now
passed irto history and longer Of practical IN
terest. They arc no, OF to-day
Let rcI0ice that NJ esst 40 much has been gained,
and from the extent Of our present triunphs let us
take hope and courage for the future. Providence
will be with the good cause in times to come, as III
tilcs past Others may despair; / do not. Others
may zee gloom; l cannot. Others may hesitate;
viii not. Already tie country has been saved.
Great may seem 10 be It's present peril, It's Terl
was greater far while IL was sinking year after year
under the rule Of Slavery Oten have | exclaimed,
in times past, that our first great object was the
emancipation Of the National Government, 20 that
il should no longer be tbe slave Of slavery, ready
10 DO it's bidding in all things. B this victory has
been Won IL WIS won first by the balot-box,
when Abraham Lincoln was elected President OF
the United States; and il was won the second tine
by the cnrtridge-box, when, at The command Of tie
President the guns of Fort Sumter returned the
fire OF the Rebel artillery Such was the madness OF
Slavery that the first was not enough. Unhapplly,
the aecond was needed to complete the work.
The slave oligarchy, which, according TO the yaunt
Of slayeholding Senator has ruled the Rcpublcfor
more than fifty years; which has stamped ITS de-
grading character upont the nat oual lorehead when
bas catered into ana possessed not Only the pohles
hut the literature and even the religion OF the COun-
fry: which hts embruied US nc home and given us
bad name aJroadj which has welded at Will lresi-
dent Cabinet, and even luditIhl tribunals when
has superseded public opinion by sUbtlltliing lts
own irmOIal behcsts; which has appropriated 10 IT.
self the offices aud hOnors Of the Republic; which
has established Slavery the single test and sbbo-
letb Of favor which, after orcniug all our terrific
rics 10 this wrong, wae already promising TO renew
the slaye.lrad and al its uuuiterabe woes; nay,
more which, in The instinct of that tyrauny through
which It ruled was beating down all the safeguards
Of human rights-freedom Of speech, freedom OF the
press, and security OF person, aud delivering the
whole country 10 a rule whose Nugarity was second
only 20 its madness; this slave Oigarcby has been
di.lodged from the National Government, ncvermore
10 return. Thus far. at lolst has emancipation pre-
vailed. The greatest slave OF all Is free.
Surely, ii &C any moment we axe disposed to be
dishearied-if the future is not always clear before
usyye may find AMPLE occasion for 10Y In the victory
already won. Pillars like those Oh Hercules might
fifty maIiS this progress.
Among the re- uls Of this victory IL one which we
NAV especially enjoy on this OCCASION IL IL Slavery
which ns been tho occasion Of our party divisions,
keeping men asuRder who ought to act together.
But with the expulsion OF this disturbing influence,
tbe OCCASION for our division has ceased. All patri
ot4-,Il men who truly love their couatry-may now
act together; no matter in what party combination
they may have formerly appeared; no matter OF
what accent is the speech by which our present du-
tics are declared; call them Democrats Union men,
natives or foreigners what you will are we not all
engaged in q common cause! Nor will claim as
vet the highest praise for those with whom l am
moot intimately associated. have read history too
well not TO remember that Hannibal, in his cam
paigns relied less on his Carthagenans than on
bie SPANISH infantry aud Numidian horse.
The Government is assailed by rebellion without
precedent in. human history. Never before since
Satan warred upon the Almighty has rebellion as
sumed such 'front.' and never before has It begun in
such cause. The rebels are numerous and power
ful; and their cause is Slavery.
A IA the very essence of rebellion TO be audacous
undertaking, INSCRIPTIONS. Rebellion sticks al
nothing; east of ALL will rebellion which began in
slavery II can be successfully encountered only by
a yigor and energy which shall smpass its own
Patriotism surely is not less potent as motive thar
! treason IL must DO invoked. BY all the memories
! of vour fathers, who founded this Repubc and de
iyered TO you the precious befitage and by all the
sentiments of gratitude for the good You have en-
loved beneath its protecting care you are summoned
| 10 its defense Defense did sayf Il is with NOR
tication that utter the word but you oil know th
truth.
The Rebel conspiratorS have set upon as and nov
! besiege the National Government. They besieg>
a, Washington, where are tho President. and