An account of the contemporaneous discussion, whether of criticism or sympathy, will be found in the Appendix.
FELLOW-CITIZENS,--In meeting fellow-citizens of Massachusetts, who have come together from all parts of the Commonwealth, I find myself in a familiar scene, but plainly things are changed. Yes, there is a great change, and it is manifest in our Convention.
No longer are we met, as so often in times past, on questions of controversy, or to sustain our cause by argument. That hour has passed. Formerly I have exhibited to you the atrocities of the Fugitive Slave Bill; I have rejoiced to show that Freedom was National and Slavery Sectional; I have striven to prevent the spread of Slavery in the Territories; I have vindicated especially Freedom in Kansas, assailed by slaveholding conspirators; I have exposed the tyrannical usurpations of the Slave Oligarchy; and I have dragged into light the huge and hideous Barbarism of Slavery. [_Applause._] But these topics have passed into history, and are no longer of practical interest. They are not of to-day.
Let us rejoice that at least so much is gained, and from the extent of present triumph take hope and courage for the future. Providence will be with the good cause in times to come, as in times past. Others may despair; I do not. Others may see gloom; I cannot. Others may hesitate; I will not. [_Applause._] Already is the nation saved. Great as seems the present peril, there was peril greater far, while it was sinking year after year under the rule of Slavery. How often have I exclaimed, in times past, that our foremost object was the Emancipation of the National Government, so that no longer should it be the slave of Slavery, ready to do its bidding in all things! But this surpassing victory has been won. It was won first by the ballot-box, when Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the United States [_applause_]; and it was won the second time by the cartridge-box, when, at the command of the President, the guns of Fort Sumter returned defiance to the Rebel artillery. [_Three cheers._] Such is the madness of Slavery that the first was not enough; unhappily, the second was needed to complete the work.
God be praised, much is already done. The Slave Oligarchy, which, according to vaunt of a slaveholding Senator, has ruled the Republic for more than fifty years,--which has stamped its degrading character upon the national forehead,--which has entered into and possessed not only the politics, but the literature, and even the religion of the land,--which has embroiled us at home, and given us a bad name abroad,--which has wielded at will President, Cabinet, and even judicial tribunals,--which has superseded Public Opinion by substituting its own immoral behests,--which has appropriated to itself the offices and honors of the Republic,--which has established Slavery as the single test and shibboleth of favor,--which, after opening all our Territories to this wrong, was already promising to renew the Slave-Trade and its unutterable woes,--nay, more, which, in the instinct of that tyranny through which it ruled, was beating down all safeguard of human rights, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, security of person, and delivering the whole country to a sway whose vulgarity was second only to its madness,--this domineering Slave Oligarchy is dislodged from the National Government, never more to return. [_Immense sensation._] Thus far, at least, has Emancipation prevailed. _The greatest slave of all is free._