CONFERENCE OF GOVERNORS. 119 



Governors and of the delegates be extended to His Excellency Gov- 

 ernor Guild and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the hos- 

 pitality that we have enjoyed, and all those who are in favor of 

 the passage of that motion will manifest it by saying " Aye," and 

 those opposed "No." The ayes have it, and that vote stands as 

 the expression of this audience. 



Governor Guild (of Massachusetts). Governor Cobb and gen- 

 tlemen of the conference, I thank you more than I can say for your 

 kind and generous words to one who, for lack of a better, happens 

 to be at present the Chief Executive of this good old Common- 

 wealth of Massachusetts. In her name I can only say that we 

 hope that you have found yourself at home, for no New Englander 

 should feel himself a stranger within the limits of the Bay State. 

 It has been a high privilege, which we greatly appreciate, that 

 you have been good enough to choose this Commonwealth and this 

 city, its capital, as the place of meeting for the First New England 

 Conference. It happened that the Pilgrims landed within the 

 limits of this Commonwealth, but the influence of the Pilgrims 

 and the Puritans and those who came after them and formed New 

 England has spread all over the United States of America. So 

 if this little grain of mustard seed which we have planted here 

 in favor of a better understanding between the States shall spread 

 until it covers not only New England but the entire country, the 

 credit will be due, Sir, to no one individual and to no one Common- 

 wealth, but to all the Governors and all the States assisting in the 

 planting. 



