Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1858-07-29

MR.. GIDDINGs's Z" EXGLEs OF FLORIDA
We have already noticed this valuable and
interesting volume, by the veteran statesman
of Ohio, but recur to it again now. for the
sake of publishing the subioined letter, ad-
dressed to the publishers by Hon. Josiah
Quincy, our New England veteran statesman,
on the eve of the recent anniversary of Amer
lean independence. We commend it to the
to the attention of our readers, although we
do not assent to all its positions:
NeSSrs. Toilet, Foster, & Co.-Gentlemen 1
acknowledge the favor you have conferred on
me by your transmission of Mr.. Giddngss
work, "The Exiles of Florida" 1t opens
new and peculiar views of the sufferings of
those exiles, and casts glorious light on
their principles and perseverance. 1t is sad
and humilating fact, that Americans, men
boasting of their freedom, with the flag of
our Union waving over them, with liberty,
law, and religion, in their mouths, were their
oppressors and prosecutors, The work illus
trates with great power, and unquestionabIe
truth, the inherent spirit of the STAKEHOLDER,
his pride-his cupidity-his disregard of
the rights of nature-of the feelings of HUI
mainly, and the extinction of the moral sense
in every bosom in which the spirit of MASTER
dom predominates. 1t ought to enkindle in
the Free States q feeling, will, and resolve.
to relieve the Union of this incubus, which
depresses our hopes of the preservation of our
free institutions, disgraces our characters,
and, while it brutahzes one portion of our
population, demoralizes and makes callous
another.
Mr.. Giddings has executed his undertake
ing with great boldness and skill, and has
produced work, which ought to awaken the
Free States to a sense of their duties to the
Union, and inspire them with a determine
ton at coming elections to take the control of
the government-no to abolish slavery at
once, which, in the existing state of thing is
impracticable, at least to human vision appar-
emily so,-but TO ameliorate the character of
the master, and the condition of the slave, to
apply to that institution practical principles,
which will diminish, in the present, its most
odious and offensive effects, and prepare for
its gradual and ultimate extinction.
This can only be done By the Free States taxi
ing possession Of the government, and con-
Quoting it with determined spirit to prevent
the further extension of slavery, and so to
shape our laws and their policy, as to put
down forever its influence in the councils of
the government, and in the management of
our national affairs. 1t may be done by the
Free States, If their councils could be united
and they could be given distinct and avow-
ed tendency to this object l know the diff
culties in the way of such a union-that the
Shareholders constitute a solid and compact
mass, moving in serried ranks, with one spirit,
combined by interest aud stimulated by fear
while the Free States are broken, divided
multitude, without any common principles of
union the greater part of that multitude &C.
euped by their farms and their merchandise,
and submitting themselves to the conduct of
leaders, some of whom are ambitious, some
corrupt, and the majority more solcitous how
they can get advancement and profit out of
the Union, than how to conduct it to any no.
BILE or glorious end. These are difficulties.
They are great, but not appalling The great
object of vesting In the Free States posses.
sion Of the government at the coming cleo.
ton, 1t is in their power to attain if they will
but to this end, they must move in concert,
they must move rapidly, for democracy has
become identified with the shareholders. They
both already are moving in unison with pre-
/ paratory measures If the Free States mean
to succeed, they must be on the alert.
Pardon the length of this letter; your
Kindness touched spring which instructive
ly moves at even slight pressure.
am yours, respectfully,
JOSIAH QUINCY.
h... .