Author: HUDSON, Charles
Title: Address. Fellow-Citizens of the Fifth Congressional District of Massachusetts
Description: Washington, DC, N.p. 1848. Paperback. 8vo. Self-cover. 14pp. Very good. Faint age toning; binding traces along margin; some soiling to rear wrapper (only). A tight and nice first edition of this farewell speech by this 4-term Whig congressman (1841-49), politician, writer and historian (1795-1881). Penned on February 20th, two weeks before his departure from the congressional seat he lost to Republican Charles Allen, Hudson here summarizes and defends his congressional career in detail, especially his antislavery stance -- and while he calls his successor "a representative of acknowledged ability" and his tone isn't distinctly sour grapes, he does find his defeat "under circumstances somewhat peculiar" alarming -- "I have been charged with basely deserting my principles; with wantonly betraying the interests of the State; and with wickedly sacrificing the cause of freedom at the shrine of slavery.. the cry of cowardice and pro-slavery, desertion and treachery, has been reiterated from day to day.." These charges he methodically tackles. SABIN 33482. .

Keywords: Americana


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