William Schouler, A history of Massachusetts in the Civil War: Volume 1

[246] would vote for Mr. Abbott. Mr. Abbott was nominated, by a vote of 286 to 239. This created much excitement and ill feeling in the convention, which, however, was soon allayed by Mr. Foster himself, who arose, amid great applause, and said, ‘it would give him great satisfaction to have placed upon the ticket any distinguished gentleman of his profession, like Judge Abbott, of different politics from himself, if, in the least degree, the harmony of the people of Massachusetts can be promoted, and if the national Administration can be sustained in the vigorous prosecution of the war. He hoped, therefore, his friends would join with him in the hope that the nomination of Judge Abbott would be made unanimous.’ [Cheers.]

The convention adjourned, having placed on the State ticket a ‘Conservative’ for Lieutenant-Governor, and a Democrat for Attorney-General. Subsequently, both declined to be candidates; and their places were filled with John Nesmith, of Lowell, for Lieutenant-Governor, and Dwight Foster for Attorney-General.

The marked feature of the convention, however, was the speech of Hon. Charles Sumner, which, at the time, gave much offence to the convention, and to the Republican majority in the State. The offence was caused by his open advocacy of proclaiming freedom to the slaves, and using colored men as soldiers in the armies of the Union. He said,—

Look at the war as you will, and you will always see slavery. Never were the words of the Roman orator more applicable,—Nullum facinus exstitit nisi per te; nullum flagitium sine te. “No guilt, unless through thee; no crime without thee.” Slavery is its inspiration, its motive power, its end and aim, its be-all and end-all. It is often said, the war will make an end of slavery. This is probable; but it is surer still, that the overthrow of slavery will at once make an end of the war.

If I am correct in this statement, which I believe is beyond question, then do justice, reason, and policy all unite that the war must be brought to bear directly on the grand conspirator and omnipresent enemy, which is slavery. Not to do this is to take upon ourselves, in the present contest, all the weakness of slavery, while we leave to the rebels its boasted resources of military strength. Not to do this is to squander life and treasure on a vain masquerade of battle, which can