Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-05-14

The state of mind of the majority of the
people Of Massachusetts, on the subject OF
constitutional obligation, is strange and even
wonderful. There is nothing like it in the
past Of the commonwea lth.-Boston Post.
1t Is the favorite policy of the apologists for
the political power of slavery to charge its
opponents with disregarding their constitu-
uonal obligations. 1t has been the last and
main argument of the champions OF every
compromise since that of 1920; and is adj
hered to, at a time when the slave interest Is
Waging bold and wicked war upon the con-
sutuuOn itself, with the same unreasonlng and
unreasonable ininstice. The Post is hlstor-
ically incorrect in assuming that the past OF
the commonwealth presents no parallel to the
present temper of Massachusetts in regard TO
questions affecting natural rights. The same
charges of unconstitutional tendency on this
subject have been made against her, upon equa-
~ frivolous occasions, during every PERIOD OF
political feeling since she threw OIL her con-
Yentonal obligations to the crown. And she
mas always been fortunate enough to ma de-
lenders worthy of such cause, whether the
accusation came from strangers or her own
unhhal sons. Without multiplying testimo-
ny or at this time submitting the ques-
uon to argument, we quote a single pertinent
authority which the accusers of the common
wealth will perhaps recognize as a competent
witness. When the question of censuring
John Quincy Adams for offering a petition
IRON certain slaves was pending in the house
VI representatives, during the session OF
1906 Mr.. Caleb Gushing, then repre-
sentative from Massachusetts, replied to
precisely such accusations as are now
maze against her. ''Relying very little"
lie sud "on.t merits of the question, gen
uelnen seek to justify their purpose by other
considerations. To begin, they denounce, in
no measured terms, the distinguishing opin-
lohs OF Massachusetts on the subject of this
great quesuon OF public liberty. 1t may be
that such opinions are more strongly held and
more universally understood in New England
than elsewhere in the United States max
not deny it, Deny it? 1 glory in the fact
1t is the proof and the result of our old ant
persevering dedication to liberty" He re
plies farther on to the assumption that Ger
tain fundamental rights are derived from tn,
constitution, and continues "These tn,
cardinal principles 81 human freedom, W,
hold by the supreme tenure of revolution
We hold them by the concession Of q highe,
and broader chal7er than all the constitutions
an the land-the free donation of the eternal
God when he made us to be men, He inn
planted them in us and placed them before
ana behind, and around us, for our guard and
guidance like the cloud by day and the pillar
OF fire by night, which led the IsroeIites
through the desert. 1t is liberty n.ti,o i,
born, original, undcriyed imprescriptiblo and
acknowledged in the constitution itself as nro-
eminently before aud above the constiht,, -
This is perhaps an extreme assertion ot
the doctrine Of the higher law; but the sen.
timent, aside from the form in which it is OK.
pressed, is one with which the past Of the com
monwealth is wholly and inseperaby denti-
fed The Post may deceive readers at dis.
lance as to the loyalty Of Massachusetts
somebody has most wickedly deceived then
already--but here.it will be as difficult to per.
suade any that her established faith in human
freedom conflicts with the constitution as to
shake that faith itself