Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-02-27

to uphold the government, to sustain the
shock of arms, and to breaet the vicissitudes
of this solemn period. And we will not deign
to ask either the rebel beyond the lines, or
the paltering and carping caviller at home,
whether we may not rejoice-but we will re-
Joice triumphantly in the fact that the manu-
features, and arts, and humanities of the east
have placed her upon plain Of elevation
where all the forces of the rebellion cannot
and shall not destroy as. (Great cheering
1T we are to succeed in this war, and are to
restore the constitutional flag to its original
sublime Jurisdiction, then | say all hail to the
capacities of our own commonwealth which
are to enable her to contribute her full share
to the common result, and, at the same time,
to keep free, open, genial, beneicent, and re-
freshing the active channels, the broad cur
rents of her own prosperity, her own happi-
ness, her own advance to social power. And
if we are to fail in this great struggle-which
heaven forbid lit becomes us to see to it
that we have dominion here within our own
borders upon which we may fall back for
second line of defence, and within which we
may show lines of entrenchment which
shall defy any and every attack, come
from whatever quarter it may, and
be the storming party what it may
(Great applause.) For let no man de-
lude himself with the thought, if this Union
shall be dissolved, of merely two confedera-
cies Between the hammer and the anvil the
diamond cannot be divided-it will either re-
sist the blow, or be crushed to atoms. We
are moving in this grand drama, all uncon-
sciously, toward victory or toward defeat,
slowly or rapidly, as the result may show
with as yet no possibilities within our limita-
tions Of knowledge of the foreshadowing of the
will of that Almighty Power which directs
and controls the issue. 1t is the part of duty
and of wisdom, therefore, cheerfuly to bear
up under the conflict, to stand by the loyal
men and the loyal states unto the end, pre-
serving our own individuality, our own sources
of growth and progress, so that if the old flag
prevails, as prevail it must, all over its folds
it shall bo illumned with the sacrifices of
Massachusetts, not less at home than in the
field (Applause.) So that if the stars are
destined to fall, our own at least shall retain
its place above the horizon to cheer and light
us and our children to another and an equal
future (Great cheering.) This is the reason,
gentlemen, why | say hold on to, appreciate,
cultivate Massachusetts. She is a power
within herself. Last year and this year, at the
inauguration OF the session, | had the honor to
say this; and for thedeclaration of it l passed
under the Intellectual knife of the disloyal
critic. therefore desire to repeat it in your
presence. Let him who remains outside the
circle Of patriotic sympathies, linn who
slyly, yet fondly with dalliance courts the
meretricious bridal of secession, let him who
with velvet footsteps treads on the outermost
edge of the margin of the national woe, ever
peering in to detect the infirmities of our
opinions, yet always taking pains to give to
the enemies Of his country the benefit of his
1 of &l,o T.. 4.
to say once more, in his presence, and in your
behalf, MASSACHUSETTS is A POWER WITHIN
HERSELF! tremendous applause.) BE this
conflict terminated, wherever and however it
may be-her past is not only secure, but her
future is as certain as her past. Her honor,
her manhoOd,-her intelligence,-he capaci-
ty for all the fortunes of human lot,-her
wealth and resources,-her power TO make
her own history,-her advance on the land
and on the sea, are established, irrevisible
and inextinguishable. cloud applause.)
Gentlemen, to the purposes OF ClIii au suss
mission of maintaining the vitality of the state,
you are committed not less by the necessities
of your lot than by the patriotic impulses of
your hearts. The instrumentalites which
you WELD for the common glory of all are
among the most important. The credit and
honor of the state,-her arts and intelligence
and prestige are in a great measure in the
keeping of such as you. And | feicitate you,
as her past and present representatives, that
it falls within the limitations of your duty and
your influence in so large measure to shape
the destiny of your native or adopted COM
monwealth. (Long continued applause.)
Other addresses followed, from president
Field of the senate, Messrs. Souther of Wor-
cester, Lee of Templeton, and others, and
the assembly broke up after delightful sea-
son of social intercourse and festvity.