The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-09-19
JACKSONVILLE, August 30, 1871

n GEO. u. ACOSrA,
JOSEPH FINEGAN.
JACKSONVILLE, August 30, lS4l.
GENTLEMEN:-l have to acknowledge tn,
distinguished honor conferred upon me by til,
invitation to pnrtake Of public dinner will
those ofmy fellow-citizens of Duval count,
who arc represented by you as a committee.
The emphatic approval of my course, con
veyed in yonr letter, is very gratifying. Ii is
always agreeable to public servant to bt
greeted by the appreciation of his constituency
but when | remember the exciting and delicate
character Of the lste 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
israction OF those whose opinions are entitled
to my regard.
You are quite right in the view you take OF
the " 60 npremi-e" 1t was, in trutf, sURREN-
DER. Its bitter fruits will not be fully realized
until the poisons which they bear, if not reme-
died, shall have begun to exhibit its certain
operation upon the System Of Southern society
However much opinions may vary in Il :
South upon the course becomin, 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 wronued,-
and that there Is good ground for complaint as
to the past and solicitude as TO the future
Without adverting to any disputabIe D )ints,
it is unquestionabe that the effect of the recent
measures of Congress has been to secure to the
uses of Northern growth, all 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 ard joint primers in the
Union, We are entitled-and wronged of BEN
etlt-we had purchased years b ok with a price,
and to the security of which the North stood
bound in honor before tho world. | allnde
to the bench of being secured in slave proper
ty in the public territories South of 1880 70 :.
all time, as agreed in the Missouri compromise
Undoubtedly the EXCLUSION of the South from
her due share In the acquired domain was as
you Justly say, " in violation of former com.
promise"
| endeavored In my place in the Senate to
trace tie hist ~ of that compromise, and TO
show that the understanding inclu led a clear
right to occupation by shareholders of all terri.
tory, owned or to be acquired, south of SO 30
north latitude, and westward to the Pacific
ocean. have since met with further proof in
support of that ground When the subject of
abolitionism was under discus son in the Senate
during the session of 1878. Mr. Clay intro
d. ed series of resolutions as the embodi nent
of bis views, in ono of Whph he declares that
slavery should not be abolished il Florida
among other reasons. because IL would be 10
violation of solemn compromise, made Mt a
memorable and critical period In the history of
this country, by which, while slavery was pro.
hibited North, IL uas admitted south of The hse
of 36 degrees and 80 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 ac-
CURED at the date of the Missouri compromise /;
and that MIR. Clay was one of the most DIT mi
nent and inf jentia actors in the exciting ques-
ton re erred to. IL is too clear that our rights
as partners have been outraged, and ttat the
pghted faith Of the North has been violated to
our injury. The North has had The pow az in her
hands so to WELD the Constitution as to do this
wrong in Legislative forms, but in thus using the
power,
g She hath tied sharp-toothed unkindness, like
yulture here"
in the Southern BOSOM and God knows the
end that may come TO it.
Unkindness, and even i'll faith, might be long
borne; but there are consequences of the wrong
yet to rise 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 80 universal
and deep-sented. SO far as the territories now
owned by the Union are CONCERNED, il is TO be
regarded as settled practical fact, that no more
Southern colonization can take place. and that
while The present policy remains, a,e boundary of
The stapehoiding section is fired We are liter
ally (as the Abotionists have long since dc.
clared their purpose to be) walled inn
1t is said to have been one of the monastic
punlshments. in times past, 10 DH up The cripi-
nal afiue. This was called In pace" at least
with the San Franclscans, because every mem
Der said Ia pace requiescat" when the fearful
ceremony was concluded, and the last brick i'm
INJURED the criminal, never to return. The rea.
son alleged why the order preferred this punish
mont, was because colesia non suu sangunem"
(the church thirsteth not for blood)-they. pre-.
ierred, therefore, this, in qppearanc, less violent
infection
Such is the process we have undergone We
have been o1iled up aiire" The process NAV
well be termed in our case In pAog," for il was
done with the cry Of peace and by the peace
measures of the last Congress The Abolition
lists would have out our throats outright, but
" eclesia non sitit sanguinen," and so the com
promiscrs (or pacidca'ors) being against violence
put us In pace" While our strength is fresh
we must throw down the wsll--hurt whom il
may. AcquIesoen In the wrong can never re.
store the South to her due position in the Union
Beng obliged, gentlemen, by previous mr.
engagement, to terminate my brief visit TO your
Furnishing city this evening, shall be unable to
accept the invitation you extend bat beg