The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-19
The North and south.

| The North and South.
We have had occasion to allude 10 the
sectional and irritating character Of the
great majority Of the speeches made in
Congress upon the territorial and kindred
questions. We have noticed the confu-
sion of ideas which has followed the prac-
tice of members speaking as though they
represented all the States having insttu-
tons similar to that which each does in
part represent. We have remarked upon
the unfortunate tendency of this style of
debate to consolidate and intensity sec
tiona anmosites. II produces an array
of opposing speakers, who address them
selves to the task OF haranguing the pub
lie as though they represented interests
naturally antagonistic, and constituencies
mutually despising and hostile to each
other. So far is this spirit INDUCED by
many speakers, that stranger in the lob
bies of either House might suppose Con-
gress to be composed Of delegations from
diverse powers in state Of war with each
other.
There is no fallacy more dangerous to
the well-being Of the country, and none,
perhaps, which the demagogue more rea-
Oily lays hold of to excite local prejudices,
than the idea that the interests of the sew
eral States are antagonstic. Can any
rational mind entertain such proposition
in view of the progress the Union has made
in the brief space of half a century, Could
a nation formed by combination of dis
cordant and repulsive interests prosper
Could greatness come from an ill-assorted
contederacy' Would strength and prosper
ity flow from uniting belligerent and hos
tile elements? II there was any natural an
tagonism between the parties, they would
mutually wear and weaken each other.
Do they SO! The unexampled strides to
greatness and power which the Confed-
eracy has made put 10 flight all theories
of this kind, and demonstrate the entire
and perfect accord between the interests
of the several sections of this Union.
Because the industrial products of the
several States are different, it is argued
they are discordant. As well might the
cordwainer decry the avocation of the
tanner, as the manufacturing States assail
the planting interest There is concord
and agreement in all productive pursuits.
The relationships of labor are all harmoni-
GUS Every man is dependent upon his
fellow-man for support and sympathy. 1t
is dependence which elevates instead of
depressing the character; a dependence
confined to the exchange of the products
of labor and kindly Offices of civilized life.
The necessities of our nature fraternize
occupations seemingly the most repulsive.
There is scarcely trade, an interest, an
avocation, or pursuit, which is not repre-
scented by some article in the apparel Of a
we'll dressed man. Either in the fabrics
themselves, or the means of making them,
and in joining them together, of transport
ing them, the history of the dinner toilet
of every member of Congress, who des-
cants upon the repugnance OF occupa-
tons and industrial interests, would con-
meet him with almost every process Of
productive labor known TO man.
In our system Of government, which
refers to separate communities the regula-
ton of local and domestic concerns
system which confdes to the General
Government the regulation Of such mat
tiers as pertain to the well-being Of all
communlties-there need never arise a
sectional alteration if the. Constitution is
scrupulously respected, and the rights Sc
cured by il faithfully maintained. Fa-
natics and malcontents, who rejoice in
mischief, and demagogues who live on
agitation, will strive to foment sectional
hatred under any system but their ma
chinations would do little mischief if there
was not some substantial ground Of com
plant, which they magnify into justifca-
ton Of civil war and disunion. That there
is good ground Of complaint, in both sec
tons, against the ultraism of each, the
present state of the country demonstrates.
There have been speeches enough made
by both sections against the other, since
the meeting Of Congress, TO produce civil
connection, If love for the Union was not
universal sentiment with the people
Mr.. CLAY, Mr.. WEBSTER, Mr.. CAss, and
other Senator'S, have pointed out these
wrongs and injuries, but for which the
professional agitators might howl their
rhapsodies to the moon for all the harm
they could do. Were but these causes
Of complaint removed; we've the tangi-
bic and acknowledged wrongs done, not
to section merely, but to all sec
tons, by palpable wounds inflicted upon
the Constitution, remedied, the progress
and power Of the Union would laugh to