By the hands of the Secretary of the Commonwealth I have received
a certificate, that by concurrent votes of the two branches of
the Legislature, namely, by the Senate on the 22d day of January,
and the House of Representatives on the 24th day of April, in
conformity to the provisions of the Constitution and Laws of the
United States, I was duly elected a Senator to represent the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the Senate of the United States
for the term of six years, commencing on the 4th day of March, 1851.
If I were to follow the customary course, I should receive this
in silence. But the protracted and unprecedented contest which
ended in my election, the interest it awakened, the importance
universally conceded to it, the ardor of opposition and the
constancy of support which it aroused, also the principles which
more than ever among us it brought into discussion, seem to
justify, what my own feelings irresistibly prompt, a departure from
this rule. If, beyond these considerations, any apology is needed
for thus directly addressing the Legislature, I may find it in the
example of an illustrious predecessor, whose clear and venerable
name will be a sufficient authority.
The trust conferred on me is one of the most weighty which a
citizen can receive. It concerns the grandest interests of our own
Commonwealth, and also of the Union in which we are an indissoluble
link. Like every post of eminent duty, it is a post of eminent
honor. A personal ambition, such as I cannot confess, might be
satisfied to possess it. But when I think what it requires, I am
obliged to say that its honors are all eclipsed by its duties.
Your appointment finds me in a private station, with which I am
entirely content. For the first time in my life I am called to
political office. With none of the experience possessed by others
to smooth the way of labor, I might well hesitate. But I am cheered
by the generous confidence which throughout a lengthened contest
persevered in sustaining me, and by the conviction, that, amidst
all seeming differences of party, the sentiments of which I am
the known advocate, and which led to my original selection as
candidate, are dear to the hearts of the people throughout this
Commonwealth. I derive, also, a most grateful consciousness of
personal independence from the circumstance, which I deem it frank
and proper thus publicly to declare and place on record, that this
office comes to me unsought and undesired.
Acknowledging the right of my country to the service of her sons
wherever she chooses to place them, and with a heart full of
gratitude that a sacred cause is permitted to triumph through me, I
now accept the post of Senator.
I accept it as the servant of Massachusetts, mindful of the
sentiments solemnly uttered by her successive Legislatures, of the
genius which inspires her history, and of the men, her perpetual
pride and ornament, who breathed into her that breath of Liberty
which early made her an example to her sister States. In such a
service, the way, though new to my footsteps, is illumined by
lights which cannot be missed.
I accept it as the servant of the Union, bound to study and
maintain the interests of all parts of our country with equal
patriotic care, to discountenance every effort to loosen any of
those ties by which our fellowship of States is held in fraternal
company, and to oppose all _sectionalism_, in whatsoever form,
whether in unconstitutional efforts by the North to carry so great
a boon as Freedom into the Slave States, in unconstitutional
efforts by the South, aided by Northern allies, to carry the
_sectional_ evil of Slavery into the Free States, or in any efforts
whatsoever to extend the _sectional_ domination of Slavery over the
National Government. With me the Union is twice blessed: first,
as powerful guardian of the repose and happiness of thirty-one
States, clasped by the endearing name of country; and next, as
model and beginning of that all-embracing Federation of States, by
which unity, peace, and concord will finally be organized among the
Nations. Nor do I believe it possible, whatever the delusion of the
hour, that any part can be permanently lost from its well-compacted
bulk. _E Pluribus Unum_ is stamped upon the national coin, the
national territory, and the national heart. Though composed of many
parts united into one, the Union is separable only by a crash which
shall destroy the whole.
Entering now upon the public service, I venture to bespeak for
what I do or say that candid judgment which I trust always to have
for others, but which I am well aware the prejudices of party too
rarely concede. I may fail in ability, but not in sincere effort,
to promote the general weal. In the conflict of opinion, natural
to the atmosphere of liberal institutions, I may err; but I trust
never to forget the prudence which should temper firmness, or the
modesty which becomes the consciousness of right. If I decline to
recognize as my guides the leading men of to-day, I shall feel
safe while I follow the master principles which the Union was
established to secure, leaning for support on the great Triumvirate
of American Freedom,--Washington, Franklin, and Jefferson. And
since true politics are simply morals applied to public affairs,
I shall find constant assistance from those everlasting rules
of right and wrong which are a law alike to individuals and
communities.
Let me borrow, in conclusion, the language of another: "I see my
duty,--that of standing up for the liberties of my country; and
whatever difficulties and discouragements lie in my way, I dare not
shrink from it; and I rely on that Being who has not left to us the
choice of duties, that, whilst I conscientiously discharge mine, I
shall not finally lose my reward." These are words attributed to
Washington, in the early darkness of the American Revolution. The
rule of duty is the same for the lowly and the great; and I hope it
may not seem presumptuous in one so humble as myself to adopt his
determination, and to avow his confidence.
I have the honor to be,
fellow-citizens,
With sincere regard,
Your faithful friend and servant,