The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1881-02-23

heathen savage, and prepare them for
slavery and death 6y the avaricious
colonists, contrasts tearfully with the
cool blooded massacre of the disput-
ing christian sects themselves. The
twenty years of English occupation
and remarkable industrial prosperity
is brilliant exception to the pre-
ceeding and succeeding dynasties of
this long dreary period.
With the hosting of the American
flag by General Jackson, an era of
hope and industrial prosperity dawn
ed. Anarchy hidesitselt, but barbar.
ism turks in ambush to burn and pill.
lage in savage warfare. Slavery, al
ready here, takes courage and stalks
boldly to the front, teaching secession
and leading to rebellion.
Now we find the primary causes
Of this tragic history in the physical
structure, geographical position and
climate of the peninsula itself
A selnitropical land of enchant-
ment, situated i'll the greatgulf stream
of humanity, catching every sort of
drift from other lands A popula.
ton attracted hither then trained
and educated, by that geographical
position which charms, Seduces and
secludes, by that climate which in
vites, enervates and INDUCES, by that
physical structure, which alluring
savage and civilized alike tends to
lningle both and induce nomadic
habits; tie entire character, indus
trial, social, political and religious
being all the while subjected to the
insidious leaven Of slavery and grad
ually bringing about the closest
sympathy with the neighboring
sIaveholding States, as they were
teaching the doctrine of secession and
preparing solid South for that fatal
| plunge into rebellion.
Thus merged an the great contsd-
slavery and whose entire strength
was devoted to the destruction of
the American Union, Florida lost her
identity and gave up her individ-
uality.
Long accustomed to look at, but
not to see, truths most vital it became
highly criminal even TO call attention
to facts, tremendous blindness be-
came hereditary, prejudice settled
into religious conviction, unenlight-
ened selt-interest dictated moral rule,
jealousy fred with hate was accred.
tied patriotism and the sting of i'm
aginary wrong, maddening for re.
dress; the daughter States deemed
it filial duty to strangle the Union
Mother. This tide OF tanatlcism
flooding against the advance column
OF humanity storrned upon its high
est battlements - the American
Union. Here confronted by the
great North it was turned back in
terrible destruction, but notwith-
standing the complete reversal and
rapid ebb OF the tide that followed,
there are still onward currents in the
old channels of social feeling and po-
litical doctrine. So the flooding
streams in our tidal rivers continue
their onward course long after the
waters have begun to fall. BY anal
| ogous laws of momentum the tides
in human affairs change before the
current OF events are reversed. That
great change marking a new era for
Florida has te ken place none doubt.
But all do not see that this change
involves not only new industries,
new social habits, new institutions,
but new political ideas and affilia-
tions; though all this is as certain as
the destruction OF the contederacy,
the abolition of slavery, and the i'll
coming of the Yankee.
Under this new dispensation Flor
ia resumes her individuality, and
those peculiar native physical ele.
ments of position, structure and eli.
: mate, which made her what she was,
will determine her future. No
longer subject to the influence Of
slavery, free labor enters the field,
and the most intelligent is first III
demand The plantation gives way
to the farm and the garden. Hortl'
: culture takes the lead OF agriculture,
, and luxuries are more remunerative
; than staples. Our towns become
) fashionable watering places, and our
, | oOnDtias are desirable retreats tor