The southern press., 1851-09-20

. l.. ..a
MCQUEEN MCINTOSH,
GEO. C. ACOSTA,
JOSEPH FINEGAN.
JACKSONVILLE, August 20, l84I.
GENTLEMEN IL have TO acknowledge the
distinguished honor conferred upon me by the
invitation to pnrtake of public dinner with
those ofmy feliow-citzens Of Duval county
who are represented by you as a committee.
The emphatic approval of my course, con-
veyed in your letter, is very gratifying. 1t Is
always agreeable to public servant to be
greeted by the appreciation Of his constituency,
but when | remember the exciting and delicate
character of the late issues, and the weighty
responsibility which attaches to the course Of
all whose province it was to participate in their
decision, am penetrated with grateful sense
of the many cordial proofs receive of the sat
sfaction of those whose opinions are entitled
TO my regard.
You are quite right in the view you take Of
the "compremise." 1t was, in truth, a sURREN-
DER. Its bitter fruits will not be fully realized
until the posons which they bear, it not reme-
died, shall have begun to exhibit its certain
operation upon the system of Southern society.
However much opinions may vary in the
South upon the course becoming US to pursue
in respect to the past action OF the Federal
| government, there is undoubtedly general
| agreement that we have not been Justly dealt
with that the South has been wronged,-
| and that there i, good ground for complaint as
to the past, aud soicitude as to the future.
Without adverting to any disputable ,ints,
il is unq uestonable that the effect of the recent
measures of Congress has been to secure to the
uses of Northern growth, nll the large territory
acquired from Mexico. This result was not
accidental, but followed purpose and plan In
this the South was wronged by the NORTH
wronged Of the just share which as joint con,
querer Of Mexico and joint partners in the
Union, we are entitled--and wronged Of a ben-
eft we had purchased years blck with price,
and to the security of which the North stood
bound in honor before the world. aude
TO the benefi. of being secured in slave proper.
ty in the public territories South Of $500 for
all time, as agreed in the Missouri compromise.
Undoubtedly the exclusion Of the South from
her due share in the acquired domsin was as
yon justly say, in violation of a former CON-
promise" h
/ endeavored In my place in the Senate to
trace tie history Of that compromise, and to
show that the understanding included clear
right to occupation by shareholders Of all terri.
tory, owned or 10 be acquired, south Of 36 80
north latitude, and westward to the Pacific
ocean. have since met with further proof in
support Of that ground. When the subject OF
aboiionism was under discussion in the Senate
during the session of 1878, Mr. Clay intro
drced series OF resolutions as the embo inent
Of his views, In one Of which he declares that
slavery should not be abolished 10 Florida
among other reasons, because il would be in
violation Of solemn compromise, made at a
memorable and critical period in the history Of
Il
hibited North, Il ras admitted south Of the line
Of 36 degrees and 30 minutes, north latitude"
To appreciate the force and value Of this testi.
mony, we must bear in mind that Florida, like
California and New Mexico, had not been &C.
qured at the date of the Missouri compromise ;
and that Mr.. Clay was one OF the most prcmi.
nent and Influential actors in the exciting ques-
ton re erred TO. Il is too clear that our ri ghts
rs partners have been outraged, and that the
plighted faith of the North has been violated to
our injury. The North has had the power in her
hands so 10 WELD the Consultation as 10 dc this
wrong in legislative forms, but In thus using the
power,
g She hath tied sharptootbed unkindncss, like I.
vulture here "
in the Southern bosom and God knows the
end that may come TO Il.
| Unkindness, and even III faith, might be long
borne; but there are consequences Of the wrong
yet to rice in the future, the apprehension of
which, unless relieved by change In the policy
of the government will keep fresh In the South.
ern heart the sense of injury now so universal
! and deepseated. 80 far as the territories now
owned by the Union are concerned Il is 10 be
regarded as settled practical fact that no more
Southern colonization can take place, and that
while the present policy remains, The bounJary Of
The slaDeholding section is fired We are liter
ally (as the Abolitionists have long since de-
clared their purpose to be) walled in."
u is said to have been one Of the monsstic
punishments, in times past, 10 ,cdu up ite crinti-
al aiire. This was called " IN pacsp al leas.
with the San Franciscsns, because every mem.
Der said N pace reguiescat" when the fearful
ceremony was concluded, and the last brick ion.
INJURED the criminal, never TO return. The res.
son alleged why the order preferred this punish.
mcht, was because "eclos,a non siit sdhgninsn,r
(the church tlasteth not for hlood)---they pre-
infection.
Such is the process we have Undergone We
have been vailed up aiire" Tho process may
we'll be termed in our ca4e In FACE" for IL was
done with the cry Of peace and by the peace
measures" OF the last Congress. The Abolition.
lists would have cut our throats outright; bat.
"eclesia non sitit sanguinem," and so tha CON.
promsers Cor pocifca,ors) )being against violence,
put us"ln pace. While our strength Is fresh
we must throw down the wall--hurt whom IL
aay. Acquieseenre In the wrong can never re-
store the South 10 her due position in the Union
Being obliged, gentlemen, by previous ar
rangement, TO terminate my brief visit 10 your
fiourishing city this evening shall be unable to
accept the invitation you extend but beg