for the regulation of your own. You can find none better, you can find none wiser. In pursuing this course the people will realize as true of your enactments, what old Richard Hooker, with an eloquence which has been most admired by the most admirable masters of English prose, affirms in these words of the divine: "Of law there can be no less acknowledged than that her seat is the bosom of God, her voice the harmony of the world: all things in heaven and in earth do her homage, the very least as feeling her care, and the greatest as not exempt from her power, both angels and men, and creatures of what condition soever, though each in different sort and manner, admiring her as the mother of their peace and joy." CONCLUSION. Fellow citizens: In the Capitol at Washington there is a picture of the Pilgrims departing from Delft-haven, and in the British House of Parliament there is another illustrating their landing at Plymouth. From which it would seem that neither the land that exiled them, nor the land that received them is ashamed of their principles. These principles, though now regarded as somewhat antiquated, I have enunciated in this discourse. And surely it cannot be possible that a legislature of Massachusetts will be ashamed to acknowledge them. They have made our beloved Commonwealth what she is to-day. Whatever is noble in the character of her people, or heroic in the annals of her history, is deeply grounded in her constant recognition of the stability of the Divine law. It is this that has arrayed her on the side of the right, though its espousal cost her temporary losses and political embarrassments. It is this that has exalted her to a queenly state among her sisters. It has secured to her the affection of her children, and won for her the admiration of the civilized world. If you would be worthy your trust, and preserve the honor of your mother, you must recognize in all your labors the true source of her dignity and power. Grave questions will doubtless come before you during this session. You will be called on to decide important issues, and to devise measures made necessary by the recent terrible fire, for the protection of interests which have been jeopardized. The women of the Commonwealth have demands to make, and we all owe them too much for you to treat their claims superficially or disdainfully; the industrial classes have their cause to plead, and as they are your peers and fellowcitizens, their views should be heard respectfully, and with strict impartiality. Most likely there are many other petitioners who will use every means to induce you to favor the measures they represent. It is not my place even to indicate my opinions on any of the possible questions that will come before you; but it is the privilege of my position to-day to entreat you not to be influenced by the pressure that may be brought to bear upon you in the interests of one side or the other so as to incur the suspicion of venality or partisanship. Consult only and ever the mandates of the Right; legislate accordingly; and although it may lead you into what some will regard as extreme radicalism, or rigid conservatism, still the consequences must be beneficial and enduring. Most heartily I bid you God-speed in your work, and unite with you in praying as our fathers prayed: GOD SAVE THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHU SETTS. |