Palatka daily news. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1919-1994, 1922-11-21
LANGUAGE OF LONG AGO
DELlCATFLY COUCHED

DEIltA ELY JOOChLD
When the first territorial conven-
ton of Florida was called, pursuant
to orders issuing from the acting
governor, to meet at Saint Joseph on
Monday, December 3, 1888, it brought
together a galaxy of careful, brainy
and cool-headed men, each of whom
realized the Importance of the gath
ering. On the second day Of the con-
vention Robert Raymond Reid, of St.
Johns county, was elected president
of the deliberative body, and his
speech Of acceptance was so splendid
" worded that it might be well even
now that legislators mark its good
English. Mr.. Reid said:
"FeIlow Citizens: The honor you
have just conferred upon me awak-
ems all my sensibilities and demands
a warmer expression of gratitude
than l have the power to convey. To
have been selected to preside over an
assembly representing the sovereign
ty of the people, and convened for
the purpose of forming the consti-
tuition of a new state, is a distinction
for which | stand indebted to no mer-
it of my own, but to your generosity
and kindness towards east Florida,
- &c ,,.boeo ,opracoOtatiVpS am
East Florida has suffered almost to
extremity, and she is still suffering,
from the horrors and barbarities of
Indian warfare; she is not well pre-
pared for the measure which, in ODE
dience to the views of the people, we
have assembled here to cOnsummate.
You, fellow citizens, have chosen this
occasion for the purpose of manifest
ing your sympathies and your regard
for east Florida, by comforting an
honor upon her in the person of her
representative. For the district to
which | belong--for my humble self
i offer you sincere and grateful
thanks. The duties which at your bid
ding l am to attempt to perform fill
me in prospect with apprehension.
Many years have elapsed since l
have been conversant with the pro-
ceedings of deliberate body, and |
am not skilled in the law and usage
of parliament. A reliance upon your
constant indulgence, the hope of your
continued favor, constitute my only
relief from the painful conviction Of
inability and ineXperience. 1t is not,
perhaps, improper that l should al
lude for a moment to the labors
which lie before US, and which we are
required to perform; and yet you
know and appreciate them perfectly
well. We stand here, fellow citizens,
upon an eminence, and the eyes Of
men are upon us. | am sure you will
bring to your deliberations candor,
calmness, and an enlightened intelli-
gence. | trust this place will be too
holy for the introduction of party, or
partisan, politics; and | indulge the
hope that the result Of your labors-
the constitution of the state of Flor
ida-will remain to late posterity,
monument of your wisdom and patri-
otism."
In these present days it is refresh
ing to note the Importance given to
that convention by the speaker, and
the urgement for "candOr, calmness,
and an enlightened intelligence"
That was an occasion when only the
best in the man was to be brought
out; when trivialities were to be ig-
nored; when every word was to be
weighed, and, if found wanting, was
to be cast aside As an acceptance
speech that of Robert Raymond Reid
was a model in every way.