Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-01-08
Gbe 4aig spg d6urester, GbursOap Muulng San 1858

ment to appoint their lot. The dust OF some
has been reclaimed; of others, it reposes in
the marshes OF the CMckahominy, upon the
banks of the Rappahannock, among the sands
of the Carulnas, by the side of the Father
of Waters. The names of all are upon our
scrolls forever
Massachusetts, impersonated at her capital
to-dav. listens 10 the voices of her many dead.
They speak TO her, to us, to you IN remcm-
brance of themselves. That sound it is easy
and solemn to hear. But they speak also in be-
half of their surviving comrades and OF those
they have left behind. Nhnk you will find
that we owe in their behalf THREE MILLIONS
for the year Just closed. Mark well, gentle
men, how we discharge the debt. We have
to do Justice to hard working constituents
we have to do justice and equity to the patri-
otto and heroic in the field; mark with Il ju
dicious liberality how we adjust the balances.
But another part of our oath WHITES the
contemplation of our local duties. We have,
individually and apart, peculiarly and sacred
ly, state to cherish and develop. We have
to protect and to enrich the happiest home in
all the earth We are people-a million
and a quarter-having annals and history Of
our own. The tiexibility, valor, and energy
which have marked the character Of success
full nations past and present-the thought,
culture, and taste, which adorn state, and
diversity and elevate its labor-the under
standing, skill, and originality which impart
to a community, contented and employed,
progress that becomes imperial, the large and
distributedwealth that follows-the symbols of
art and genius-these are all here. And to
this organization of effective life are added the
deep and elemental forces that come of a re-
ligious aid heroic origin, by which the faith
ers of the state were moved in every trial, by
which their descendants have been borne for
ward in their struggles for possessions, and
happiness, and fame, and by which these OBJ
iects when attained have been modified and
shaped to the forms of christian civilization.
These all have made the small state great.
The proofs of its~power are all around us, ac-
cumulated in the cities, diffIused in the coun-
ty, everywhere vital, organizing the vast mass
of its industry and social life into a harmoni-
GUS and extraordinary system, over which
and around which rise the triple towers OF
religion, liberty, and law.
This is not an ideal commonwealth; it is
our own in her every day probabilities, rec
ognized and admired very generally abroad,
boosted perhaps too frequently by us athome,
worthy to be strengthened and embellished by
our hands, and to be transmitted to the next
age. The expression is not tCo explicit
Massachusetts is power within herself, and
if worse comes to worse, she can take care of
herself as well as others. Nay, she must take
care of herself. Whatever that is adverse
may happen elsewhere, no irremedabe detri-
ment must be permitted to happen here.
Whatever else may be lost, this must be pre-
served. Whatever other institutions ought to
pass away, and will pass away, these must
| retain immortal truth.
Gentlemen, our daily study our official du-
ty, our legislative policy, takes hold on this.
'''The old homestead, and the custody of the
rock, are in the family: Nearest of all the
| children to the scenes of the fathers earthly
lot, be it ours the longest and the most fondly
to bear the names and hold fast their virtues.
Be it ours, especially, to purify, enrich,
| adorn, this state-our own, our native land
our fathers monument-our fathers praise.
WIN. S. ROBINSON, Esq, was chosen clerk,
receiving the whole number of votes cast
206. A ballot was taken for sergeant at arms,
| when JOHN MoRRIsEY Of Plymouth was elect
ed, receiving POI votes. The house then adj
iourned to attend the annual sermon.