The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1878-02-24
MASSACHUSETTS,, THERE SIZE STANDS

MASSACHUSETTS, THERE SIZE STANDS y
LETTER FROM COMMODORE BOUTWELL,.
PHILADELPHIA, Jan %, 1873.
Editor N. Y. Freeman's journal:
Dear Sir In the recent address oi
Senator Blaine, on presenting the statue
of Governor King, of Maine, to be placed in
the Capitol, think he omitted to mention
the following incidents in the history OF
ingloriously surrendered his army and the
city of Detroit to the English. General w.
II. Harrison was appointed to succeed him,
and Immediately the militia of Ohio, Ken :
tucky, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, focked
to his standard. About the same time,
President Madison called on Massachusetts
and Connecticut for their militia to defend
their maritime frontier the militia was not
furnished, although it was known at the
time that large British fleet was on our
coast. President Madison in his message
to Congress, dated November 4, 1912, uses
the following language on the subject ::
"Among the incidents to the measure of
the war, l am constrained to advert to the
refusal of the Governors of Massachusetts,
and Connecticut to furnish the required
detachments of militia towards the defence
of the maritime frontier. The refusal was
founded on a novel and unfurtunate expo
sition of the provisions of the Constitution
relating to the militia. The correspon-
dence, which will be before you, contains
the requisite information on the subject
1t is obvious that if the authority of the
United States to Call Into service and COM
mand the militia for the public defence,
can be thus frustrated, even in a state of
declared war, they are ROT one nation for
the purpose most OF all requiring it; and
that the public safety mag have no other
resource, than in those large and perma-
nent military establishments which are
forbidden by the principles of our free
government, and against the necessity of
stitutional bRlwark." OF course the people
of Massachusetts were not disloyal during
the war of 1912, but they were the most
strenuous advocates of State rights in
deed, they were so welded to that "heresy"
that General Fessenden introduced the
following resolution into the Legislature
of Massachusetts for it's consideration
"And, therefore, be it resolved, that we
recommend to his Excellency, Caleb Strong,
to take the revenue of the State into his
own hands, arm aud equip the militia, and
declare us independent of the Union"
That distinguished man, Rev. Dr.. Dwight,
said "The Declaration of Independence is
a wicked thing" Fisher Ames said "Our
country is too democratic for liberty, too
big for. union, and too sordid for patriot
ISM" The Boston Gazette is said to have
threatened President Madison with death,
if he attempted to compel the Eastern
States to fight against Euglaud. But, MIR.
Editor, if you require any more proof of
devotion to State rights in
1914, read Mathew Cary's work, entitled
the Olive Branch" and the letters of
Pelham, published in New Eogiand about
the same time. Secretary EVarts, at the
New England dinner, some weeks since, in
Mo- Va IL lrv., 70 r.
ions and virtues of New England ia the
future. Does he refer to the ideas of 1914, |
or those of 1861, for there was evidently a
change in the political opinions of come of
the distinguished men of Massachusetts
after the Euglishman, William Lloyd Gar
rison, came over and burnt the Constitution
of the United States on Boston Common 7
In giving correct history of the life and
services Of Governor King, do not see
how Senator Blaine could have dealt more
tenderly with Massachusetts,, and, at the
same time, confined himself to the truth.
There is an argument used by Massachu-
setts. as an excuse for her leaning towards
Old England during the war of 1912, which |
do not eabscribe to. 1t is as follows !:
fMaesach usetts discerned better than the |
Union that our permanent ally and CO. |
partner in civilization would be Eogland.
In that faith died Washington and Hamil
ten." / do not believe the story so far as !
is concerned. He remem bered |
that England attempted to retain US in |
perpetual slavery, aud that France came
to our assistance at the darkest period of !
our revolutionary struggle, and helped US
to gain our independence. Washington
also knew that the United States was
destined to be-if the States remained |
lnited-the great commercial rival of |
Great Britain, and that there would always |
1e q feeling Of jealousy on her part. |
Besides, Washington was man of graft
5ude, and he could not, as long as be lived,
'orget the eervices of Lafayette aud his
Respectfully, etc,
E. r. boutwell,,