April 12, 1861 – An Alligator Statute

The Florida freebooters have added another chaplet to their crown of infamy, by enacting a law punishing with death the acceptance of a Federal appointment in that State. It is altogether in character. The government paid five million dollars for their miserable alligator swamps, and forty millions more to drive from their territory a few score of Seminoles; and now they have seceded from the Union, stolen all the government property within their reach, and passed a law to hang every government officeholder they can catch. What else could have been expected from thieves, cowards and traitors?

Chicago Daily Tribune, Chicago, IL

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