Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1844-06-14
lNDINISiBILlTY OF THE UNION

The following sketch of part Of Mr.. Rires
late speech on tho Tariffs from tho correspon-
dence of the L. S. Gazette.
1t is surprising these views not moro
generally understood The union of these States
whether by force or conquest-is naturally
Indispensable Die union, WI hon it docs take
place. will only lead to reunion by the conquest
of the weaker party.
'.Thero portion of Mr.. Rives' speech yes
terdav which did not notice, though tho most
beautiful part of it. 1t that part in which he
noticed Mr.. McDuffies hypothetical division of the
Union into three great confederaces-a nothern,
a western and southern. He though such d.
vision could never occur, and the suppositon of
s4ch division of the Union though used hypo-
thetically, was an unfortunate one. Mr.. Rves
said he feared not division of this Union. how
much socver others might talk of it. Ii i'm
possible to divide it, such was the mutual DEEPEN
dence of the States upon each other. Could they
separate Maryland and Virginia from each other
bordering as they did upon that great bay which
separated and at the same time united them! Ma
ryland rib of Virginia; they had never
been separated and never could be. And
how would thoy separate Maryland and Virginia
both from nnsylvania! Where tho natu-
raj barrier between them! Could MARYLAND take
from Pennsylvania her natural outlet by the Sus-
quehanna into the great bay of Chesapeake. and
thence to the Ocean! Again. how could Penn
sylvana separate herself from Delaware and New
jersey! A common highway to the Ocean they
must have, and in this they equally nteres-
ted. Could New Jersey separate herself from
New York; Is the beautiful ba ' common to both
natural barrier! By no means. but a mutual
convenience, and absolutely necessary to both
Again, could Pennsylvania, Virginia. or New
York, separate from the Westl They must rst
separate from themselves, allowing the AlIegha-
MES to become the dividing line in the first two
states.
Their interests SO closely blended with the
West, that division could be made. Could the
West again separate from the Southwest! Would
the States on the upper waters of the Mississippi.
and its tributaries, consent that their natural out
let to the Ocean should be in the hands of a nation
that m ght. and would levy toll on them when
going out coming in! We know from expert
ence what the feeling of the West would be on
this subject. from what it prior to the purchase
Of Louisiana. and when Kentucky threatened to
sacede if the navigation of the Mississippi not
secured. Mr.. r. went over every part of the Uni
on. showing how the interests OF adjoining states
were blended and the impossiIity of separating
them. This he considered sure guarantee of
the perpetuity Of the Union as it was. He was
sorry to hear division 50 often spoken Of. even
alphabetically: he wished to see the Union cher
ished and preserved.
have By no means done Justice to this portion
of his speech by my meagre notice; it was in a
high degree eloquent. and breathed the Hottest
spirit OF patFiotsn. 1t IS TO Dc ploiished anu
cannot bat have very decided influence upon
the public mind of the South. though its Influence
will be much less than its great ability entities it
to. in consequence of Its author having, IN q
great MEASURE los. the confidence OF the people
of the South of both parties. by his vascillating
course and want of stability. Mr.. R. is unques-
t:oaablv one Of the abIesi and best read states
men of our country. What pity he has not
pursued that steady uniform course which alone
inspires and retains the confidence of the people.