The response to the appeal to support the Government of Massachusetts in sustaining law and order was instantaneous.  It came from the State Guard, from volunteers for police, and the militia, from contributions gathered among all classes now reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars, from the loyal police of Boston, from all quarters of the Commonwealth and beyond.  These forces may all be dissipated, they may be defeated, but while I am entrusted with the office of their Commander-in-Chief they will not be surrendered.  Over them and over every other law-abiding citizen has gone up the white flag of Massachusetts.  Who is there that by compromising the authority of her laws dares to haul down that flag?  I have resisted and propose to continue in resistance to such action.

This issue is perfectly plain.  The Government of Massachusetts is not seeking to resist the lawful action or sound policy of organized labor.  It has time and again passed laws for the protection and encouragement of trade unions.  It has done so under my administration upon my recommendation to a greater extent than in any previous year.  In that policy it will continue.  It is seeking to prevent a condition which would at once destroy all labor unions and all else that is the foundation of civilization by maintaining the authority and sanctity of the law.  When that goes all goes.  It costs something but it is the cheapest thing that can be bought; it causes some inconvenience but it is the foundation of all convenience, the orderly execution of the laws.

The people understand this thoroughly.  They know that the laws are their laws and speak their voice.  They know that this Government is their Government founded on their will, administered by their representatives.  Disobedience to it is disobedience to the people.  They know that the property of the Commonwealth is their property.  Destruction of it destroys their substance.  The public security is their security.  When that is gone they are in deadly peril.  And knowing this the people have a determination to support the Government with a resolution that is unchanging.

It is my purpose to maintain the Government of Massachusetts as it was founded by her people, the protector of the rights of all but subservient to none.  It is my purpose to maintain unimpaired the authority of her laws, her jurisdiction, her peace, her security.  This ancient faith of Massachusetts which became the great faith of America, she reestablished in her Constitution before the army of Washington had gained our independence, declaring for “a government of laws and not of men.”  In that faith she still abides.  Let him challenge it who dares.  All who love Massachusetts, who believe in America, are bound to defend it.  The choice lies between living under coercion and intimidation, the forces of evil, or under the laws of the people, orderly, speaking with their settled convictions, the revelation of a divine authority.