The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-04-11
From TIE Fiorida 7hiIahassss) Ssnti'ssi
Letter from Governor Brown.

y
Letter from Governor Brown.
TALLAHASSEE, March 80. 1850
Mr.. CLIsBY: Dear Sir received yesterday a
pamphlet dated "Washington city, March 18th,
iS50," signed jackson Morton" and addressed
TO me az Governor Of Florida. SO far as self re.
spect and proper difference to the sentiments OF
the people OF this State permit prompt me TO no
tice this document, desire to do 30 in the present
communication.
This pamphlet is in reply to my communication
Of the BAD February last In response to the joint
letter Of our delegation in Congress, Why Sena-
tor Morton has thus chosen to separate himself from
his colleagues, for what object he sngly seeks 70
provoke q controversy with me, am somewhat at
q loss TO determine
He complains that my letter came "tn printed
form" Their joint demand upon me for ofnciai ac-
ton deemed important by them was in
of unquestionabe duffy, both to the ngners and the
people, to send the whole correspondence 70 press
as early as possible. This done, ! caused them 70
/ supposed Senator Morton SO fastidious, should
certainly have sent him manuscript copy.
OF the iaIics to which he objects, gave no drec,
tons to the printer, but have since been informed
thew were the result of loose underscoring, in
pencil designed by me to call the attention OF
friend, Gas we'll as fix my own,) to sentiment as
Iconceived Of dangerous import, with view to
elicit his opinion to the justice Of the construc-
tons had placed upon it. This, am told, is the
technical mark for italicsing, and to that purport
was mistaken by the printer. do not conceive,
however, that the import Of the language was ma
tenaliy affected BY the particular type in which It
was printed, and am gratifed to believe that the
mistake resulted in drawing the honorable Senator'S
attention for the first time to the dangerous politi
cal heresy contained in the italicised portion Of .ne
Joint letter. His present communicate designates
the object of the Southern convention to be the
"maintenance of the Constitution, but in the joint
letter he intentionally led to base his call for
representation upon alleged inherent vices and de-
fects in that great instrument.
1t was no part of my design, in my reply TO the
Joint letter, TO "mingle the slavery question with
party politics" nor does i seem 70 me az an sus
ing upon truth which has often been announced,
though 80 little practised upon, that this question
is above party" my single object was to discharge
what conceived to be my duty, and assuming to
speak the sentiments Of "neither party" with all
sincerity and candor to declare my own. am not
insensbe however, to the abominabie party uses TO
which this question long has been and may still DC
applied by those who denounce southern fellow cit
liens and southern president, quite as deeply IN
teresed as themselves in the welfare Of this section,
with reasonable cooperation with its avowed en-
smies.
NV letter Of the 22d regarded the Nashville con-
vcntion in the two fold aspect in which it has been
presented to the public by its differing friends Az
a counseling and admonitory body, designed nam
ly for moral effect upon the North, my objections
are that the South has already taken position on
these questions in much more legitimate and au-
thortative way through her several State legisla-
lures; and that II the united voice OF her consutu
and in Congress shall fail to impress the North the
voice Of such an assemblage, representing but
portion of the South, and concerning which there
is great diversity OF opinion, VIII be wholiy
impotent TO this end. Regarded for other pur-
poses the convention is certainly body "revolu-
tonary in its tendency" and, as an officer sworn
to support the Constitution, can have no business
with it, If the people, who possess the right OF rev.
olution shall determine that the Constitution and
government of their country are insufficient for
their protection, it is for them, and not for officers
-<yc a,dA a(av
Constitution Of the United States" to demand and
adopt other guards and defences.
am asked "what would make me an agitator!'
trust, having long escaped that pestiient impu-
taton shall do nothing at this late period Of my
life to merit the stigma. was born and reared
among, and trust have imbibcd the feeilngs and
principles of, statesmen who were no less careful
about the grounds o. their ac.on hd th
ened trespasses upon the constitutional rights oil
the South which the Senator indicates be consum-
mated, the course of Virginia upon the alien and
sedition laws will indicate what views OF resistance
should entertain trust should be quite as far
from submitting to actual aggression as am now
from revolutonizing upon the force OF mere posi-
bilties that these aggressions may DC committed
.s()ur fathers In '75 not 'fagitators' in the
common acceptation of that term-the Congress OF
the colonies was not body designed for moral ef-
feet upon Great Britain NOR were the war OF the
Revolution and the Declaration OF independence
based on anticipated grievances.
II perhaps scarcely COMFORTS with what Is due
10 myself TO notice that portion of the Senator'S
communication impeaching my fidelity to the
South am an old man having no personal inter
est or tie whatever beyond this section, and must
in the order of Providence, expect soon to md
resting place beneath the soil which gave me birth
Born at the close ofthe revolution have witnessed
through long life, the people OF this great nation
in the uninterrupted enjoyment OF rational and
well-regulated civil and religious hberty-grow1ng
in wealth and power-progressing IN commerce
agriculture, the mechanic arts, and In all tnat con-
tributes to the social comfort and mental and mo-
raj welfare Of man. These results prove the beneh-
cent and patcrnal character of the government
established by wise and patriotic forefathers
under the smiles and guidance Of approving Hca,
ven. do not wish to see another revolution, and
i'll feel called upon to "blush in this connexon II
Is for those who pronounce this Government Rus
sian despotism-who would call a convention OF
modern politicians to remedy the inherent defects
in the great charter Of our lberties-who think
themselves able TO improve it-who in respect 70
anticipated grievances would change or destroy IT,
and who seek TO delude the people with dazzling
schemes of southern confcderacy, which are but
ignus faf,i to lure them TO political ruin. May
better counsels provai and in that spirit Of mode
ration and forbearance, by which alone conflicting
views can hsrmonize, may North meet South and
South meet North and say, "Let there be no further
strife between u.s. let the mantle Of our fathers fall
upon us, and let us all unite in one glorious, fra.
ternal and patriotic effort TO transmit unmpaired
20 our children those blessings which have come
down 70 US from a common ancestry"
Iregret the style, temper, and much OF the mat
ter of Senator Morton's communication, and doubt
not, with more reflection and experience in public
affairs, this regret will be mutual
Respectfully yours, THOMAS BROWN.
Eros, fLS 1faysa,,nn Fa Ifhig