Year: 1860

Republtcnn McctnW IN fltchbuTgs


The republicans of Fitchburg had a very
large and successful meeting, on Friday even
ing the Town Hall being filled with citizens
and with delegations from other towns. A
large delegation of republicans came over
from Leominster, accompanied by the Leom-
inster Cornet Band, which occupied the gal
leries and iiscoursed excellent music during
the evening Mr.. l.. w. Russell, president of
the Lincoln and Hamlin Club, called the meet
ing to order, and before introducing the speak
ers of the evening, said, in reply to state
ment which had gained some currency, that
Mr.. Thayer was not invited to speak in Fitch
burg by the Lincoln and Hamlin Club, and
that the statement that they had invited him
and then refused TO furnish an officer for his
meeting, was of course, incorrect He Mr.
RusselD respected Mr.. Thayer for what he
had done for free labor, but he earnestly pro.
tested against his doctrine of popular sover-
eighty. II, however, they were not satisfied
with their present representative, they were
fortunate in having other men in the district
whom they could safely trust.


He closed by introducing Hon. Goldsmith
+. Bailey, who devoted one hour mainly to
succinct and dignifed historical argument in
behalf of congressional Intervention, in refer
ence TO slavery in the territories. The speak
er showed that the republican party was COM
mitted to the doctrine of intervention by the
platforms of 1856 and 1860, and by the record
ed testimony of its presidential candidates.
The living practical question pressed upon the
people of this district was, shall we abandon
the principles of the republican party and EN-
brace the doctrine of the democratic party =?
When he abandoned vital principle of the
party, and adopted that of the opposition, he
would also adopt their name, march under
their banners, and share with them their victo-
ries and defeats. He then entered into the
historical argument in favor of Intervention,
showing that In the course OF fifteen years sub
sequent to the application of the ordinance of
l7S7 10 the northwest territory, the inhabitants
of tie territory, with great unanimity, seven
times appealed to congress to remove the
slavery restriction, in order that slavery might
be established there, and that congress seven
times resisted the appeal and consecrated the
territory TO freedom and free labor forever
He proceeded TO show that down to the pas
sage of the Kansas act the slavery question
had found peaceful solution in the doctrine
OF congressional intervention, while the first
fruits OF the policy of non-intervention were
confusion and civil war. He contrasted the
two systems in an eloquent, logical, and con-
vincing manner, and closed his address in the
midst of very general and hearty applause.
We shall endeavor 10 publish the speech in full
tomorrow.


p. Emory Aldrich, Esq, of this city, then
took the platform, and effectively answered
some of the positions assumed by Mr. Thayer
in his last speech in Mechanics Hall. He al
luded to the fact that while everywhere else
the host were marshaling for the impending
contest here, in the heart of the common
wealth discordant voices were heard in our
own camp 1t was rung in their ears by the
leading articles of their political faith was "a
humbug" He criticized several of Mr. Thay-
ers votes in congress, and condemned the
spirit in which they were given with much
earnestness. In reply to the statement of Mr.
Thayer, that he (Aldrch), had sought the
privilege of making a speech in Worcester,
| Mr.. Aldrich said it was an unmitigated false
hood. Mr.. Thayer rose and said he would give
his authority. Mr. Aldrch was unwilling to
| be interrupted The statement was false. He
did not propose to hunt up the author of it
but simply to content himself with pronounce
ing it what it is. He was not with the city
committee when they visited him to speak,
but was told the invitation was unanimous.
He then arraigned Mr. Thayer for his person.
alities and dsclaimed any fear of meeting him
in political debate. He (Thayer), was the
servant of the people of the ninth district and
it was not likely that his masters were afraid
of him. If he had courage let him display it
on the floor of congress and not here. In
conclusion, he expressed the hope that the
people would not suffer their attention to
be diverted from the great issues involved in
the present contest by any appeals to personal
feeling and preJudices. Mr.. Aldrich spoke
about halt an hour and was frequently ap-
| plauded. The republicans OF Fitchburg were
greatly encouraged by the success of the meet.
ing, and adjourned with cheers for the speak
ers, and for the nominees of the republican
party