“But, in reverse of all this, should a dominant sectional vote be directed to bring into power those pledged in advance to break down the barriers interposed by the compact of federation for the security of one section against the other, then, in my calmest judgment, but one course remains for the South,--_immediate, absolute, and eternal separation_. … “Again regretting, Gentlemen, that I cannot be with you, “I am, with great respect, “J. M. MASON.” The Hon. Jefferson Davis, Secretary of War, and afterwards President of the Rebel States, thus declared his approbation:-- “WASHINGTON, Monday, September 22, 1856. “GENTLEMEN,--I have the honor to acknowledge your polite and very gratifying invitation to a public dinner, to be given by the people of the Fourth Congressional District to their Representative, Hon. P. S. Brooks. “It would give me much pleasure, on any occasion, to meet you, fellow-citizens of the Fourth District of South Carolina; and the gratification would be materially heightened by the opportunity to witness their approbation of a Representative _whom I hold in such high regard and esteem_. Circumstances will not permit me, however, to be with you, as invited, and I have only to express to you my sympathy with the feeling which prompts the sons of Carolina to welcome the return of a brother who has been the subject of vilification, misrepresentation, and persecution, _because he resented a libellous assault upon the reputation of their mother_. “With many thanks to you and those whom you represent for your kind remembrance of me, “I am very truly your friend and fellow-citizen, “JEFFERSON DAVIS. “ARTHUR SIMPKINS, JAMES GILLAM, and others.” Here may properly be introduced the language of Mr. Savage, of Tennessee, in the House of Representatives, in his eulogy of Mr. Brooks. “To die nobly is life’s chief concern. History records but one Thermopylæ: there ought to have been another, and that one for Preston S. Brooks. Brutus stabbed Cæsar in the Capitol, and, whatever we may now think of the wisdom and justice of the deed, the world has ever since approved and applauded it. So shall the scene in the Senate Chamber carry the name of the deceased to all future generations, long to be remembered after all here are forgotten, and until these proud walls crumble into ruins.”[147] These uttered words were modified in the _Globe_.[148] * * * * * In these adhesions it will not fail to be observed that Toombs, Slidell, Mason, and Davis, afterwards chiefs in the Rebellion, made themselves conspicuous by their positive and unequivocal language.