The FREE-SOIL STATE COMMITTEE offer their congratulations to
the people of Massachusetts on the result of the recent election in our
Commonwealth.
Nearly FORTY THOUSAND Freemen have, by their votes, borne
testimony against the two old political organizations, and for the
new party of FREEDOM. They have branded _Taylorism_ and
_Cassism_ as unworthy of support. In doing this they have encountered
prejudices and difficulties of a peculiar kind, in addition to the
constant, indefatigable, and well-sustained exertions of both the old
organizations.
Whatever may be the result in other parts of the country,
Massachusetts, by a majority of votes, has rejected both Taylor and
Cass.[278] She has declared her want of confidence in their principles,
and her unwillingness to recognize either as the representative and
impersonation of American institutions.
[278] The votes, as officially determined, stood: For Taylor,
61,072; Cass, 35,284; Van Buren, 38,133.
Still further, she has declared, by the vote of nearly FORTY
THOUSAND Freemen, that Slavery shall not be extended,--that
Slavery shall not be allowed to continue under the National Government,
wherever that Government is responsible for it,--and that the Slave
Power shall no longer control the policy of our country.
To support these paramount principles, without equivocation or
compromise, at all times and in every way, she has now given her first
earnest and determined pledge. Freemen of Massachusetts! it remains
with you to redeem this pledge by further exertions.
An election of State officers and of Members of Congress will take
place on Monday, November 13th. The principles which we have upheld
in the Presidential election, as paramount to all others, let us
continue to uphold and advance through the new organization now
happily established. Following the example of the other parties, and
recognizing the necessity of such a course, we can sustain those only
who sustain this organization. We are a separate party, and, as such,
have separate candidates.
Remember, then, to vote for no man who is not willing to unite with us
in declaring opposition to Slavery and the Slave Power to be above all
other questions, and who cannot be relied upon to sustain those men
only who join in this alliance of principle.
Vote for STEPHEN C. PHILLIPS, of Salem, our candidate for
Governor, and for JOHN MILLS, of Springfield, our candidate
for Lieutenant-Governor,--men familiar with all the concerns of
the Commonwealth, of well-tried prudence, of best capacity, and of
inflexible devotion to FREEDOM.
Vote, also, for the Congressional Candidates nominated by the Free-Soil
District Conventions.
Vote, likewise, for the Senatorial Candidates nominated by the
Free-Soil County Conventions.
And, in your respective towns, vote for such Representatives only as
may be relied upon to sustain, in the Legislature of the Commonwealth,
the principles which we have at heart, and the new organization
dedicated to their support. The final success of our candidates for
Governor and Lieutenant-Governor may depend upon the firmness of these
men.
Freemen of Massachusetts! Three months only have elapsed to-day since
the Convention at Buffalo. In this brief period we have taken our
place as one of the great parties of the country. With one bound we
have leaped to our present position. In Massachusetts we are not the
_third party_. Let our efforts in the next election show us to be
FIRST.
_First_ in principles we already are,--_first_ in devotion to those
truths which give dignity and security to our common country: let us be
FIRST also in numbers and power.
Stand firm, Freemen of Massachusetts! Your fidelity now will be the
cement of our new organization, and a token of that mutual confidence
which shall assure speedy success. Ours is the cause of truth, of
morals, of religion, of God. Let us be united in its support! "A stout
heart, a clear conscience, and never despair." These were the last
words addressed in writing by JOHN QUINCY ADAMS to a person
deeply interested in our movement. Let us each consider them addressed
directly to himself.
CHARLES SUMNER, _Chairman_.
JOSHUA LEAVITT, AMASA WALKER,
JOHN A. ANDREW, CHARLES WHITE,
MARCUS MORTON, Jr., ALLEN BANGS,
EDWARD L. KEYES, WM. H. STODDARD,
DANIEL W. ALVORD, H.G. NEWCOMB,
ANSON BURLINGAME, LYMAN C. THAYER,
SIDNEY HOMER, CALVIN MARTIN,
JAMES M. WHITON, GEORGE W. STERLING,
JOHN B. ALLEY, WILLIAM JACKSON,
BENJAMIN F. NEWHALL, WILLIAM J. REYNOLDS,
JOSIAH G. ABBOTT, SAMUEL DOWNER, Jr.,
SHUBAEL P. ADAMS, CALEB SWAN,
JOHN G. WHITTIER, ANDREW L. RUSSELL,
E. ROCKWOOD HOAR, LEWIS LAPHAM,
JOHN A. SHAW, JOHN A. KASSON,
GEORGE MINOT, EDWARD W. GARDNER.
ALEXANDER DEWITT,
BOSTON, November 9, 1848.