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

‘ [171] to the courtesy and attention which have evidently been extended to other States in these respects, and which is pre-eminently due to Massachusetts, by reason of her constant loyalty, her prompt movement to the defence of the nation, her children dead at Baltimore, and the sacrifice of money and of men which she expects, and is willing, to make for the common cause.’

The delay at Washington in calling for more troops, and the apparent neglect with which the Governor's letters were treated, did not change his purpose nor daunt his spirit. He never doubted that a change of policy would soon be adopted at Washington, and that the war would be carried on with might and vigor. Foreseeing that it would be a long war, he determined that the State should be placed in a condition to sustain her part with all the resources of men and money at her command. Accordingly, he called an extra session of the Legislature, which met at the State House on Tuesday, the 14th of May.

Mr. Claflin, in calling the Senate to order, referred to the extraordinary events which had transpired since the adjournment, and urged upon the Senate the importance of meeting them in a proper spirit. ‘To this end, let us act our part faithfully, that those who placed in our hands these great trusts may not be disappointed, and we, in coming time, may have the proud consciousness of having done our duty.’

Speaker Goodwin congratulated the House that the Old Bay State had so nobly sustained her heroic fame. He referred to the absence of some of the members who were with their regiments in the field, and concluded by saying, ‘I know you will all join in a most ardent aspiration, that an honorable peace may soon be won by our army, and the arts of peace once more become the engrossing topic of the Legislature of the Commonwealth.’

The two branches met in convention, and Governor Andrew delivered his address.

‘The occasion,’ he said, ‘demands action, and it shall not be delayed by speech; nor do either the people or their representatives need or require to be stimulated by appeals or convinced by arguments. A grand era has dawned, inaugurated by the present great and critical exigency of the nation, through which it will providentially and ’