Albert Street
From Worcester Activist wiki
Daniel Webster was a tough opponent whom no one quite dared to challenge-except a Worcester man. And every time they locked horns, the Worcester man came out on top.
Charles Allen was admired by many as the “ablest man of his day.” His great-grandfather was Samuel Adams, father of the Samuel Adams, the great Revolutionary patriot. Allen’s father, Joseph, was a Congressman and a clerk of courts.
Charles Allen was born in Worcester Aug. 9, 1797, attended Yale and became a lawyer. A strong appetite for literary meat made him devour 50 volumes for the British Poets, the classics and considerable history, much of which he memorized.
He was state representative in 1829, 1833, 1834 and 1840; member of the the Senate in 1835-37; judge of the Court of Common Pleas in 1842; chief justice of the Superior Court in Suffolk County and chief justice of the Superior Court of Massachusetts. He declined an offer to the Supreme Court as its chief justice.
His life was tinged with dramatic struggles for the public good. His greatest moment came in 1848 at the Whig National Convention in Philadelphia while a delegate from Worcester District.
Whigs nominated Taylor for the presidency and as a sop to anti-slavery sentiment, offered Massachusetts the vice-presidency.
In a ringing speech, which smashed the Whig party and founded the Free Soil party, Allen declared:
“You have put one ounce too much upon the strong back of northern endurance. You have even presumed that the state which led on the first revolution for liberty, will now desert that cause for the miserable boon of the vice-presidency. Sir, Massachusetts spurns the bribe!” While Judge Allen was on the bench during a trial, Daniel Webster appeared for a client. Webster leaped up a few times to call the Judge’s attention to points of law.
As Webster rose again, the Judge said: “Mr. Webster, I cannot suffer myself
to be interrupted now.”
“I cannot suffer my client’s case to be misrepresented,” cried Webster. “Sit down, sir!” ordered the Judge.
After the jury was discharged, he turned to the great Daniel and said: “Mr. Webster.”
Webster arose and apologized.
When Allen ran for Congress on the Free Soil ticket, Whigs were alarmed and brought in Daniel for some thunder to destroy him. Daniel spoke, but failed to mention Allen by name. The next day Allen was triumphantly swept into office.
He died at 72 in 1869.
A street was given his middle name in 1871. It runs southwest from Grand Street.
