Page:The Natick resolution, or, resistance to slaveholders.djvu/35





I suppose the reason why you, Mr. Chairman, who have the good fortune to preside over this joyous festival of the friends of liberty, assembled here to-night, have called upon me, is because I have the good fortune, or perhaps the misfortune, to preside over one branch of the "assembled wisdom" of the "great and General Court." On taking the chair, sir, you quoted the words of the great dramatist, that "some men were born great, some achieved greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them." Now, sir, surrounded as you are, on either hand, by men who "were born great," and by men who have "achieved greatness," I am surprised, and this audience will be more surprised, that you should call upon one who has simply had "greatness thrust upon" him, to mar the festivities of this occasion, by inflicting a speech upon those who have been charmed by the glowing eloquence of the gifted and brilliant orators [Mr. Thompson and Mr. Phillips] who have addressed us. Our friend Phillips said, that he wished "to have a little scream from every one." You must, sir, have acted upon that hint in calling upon me. [Laughter.]