The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-10-29


written by W. H. Tresco,t. esq. Of Charleston. in which
dissolution Of the Union is openly advocated Since
then we have examined more attentively the points
made in that pamphlet and feel to be duty to ex
pose the pernicous ideas il would disseminate.
We do not think il necessary-ndeed, we have not the
time and space-to follow Mr. Tfescott through those
portions OF his production which mere abstract his
orical dsquisitions leading to practical result Most
political writers who have experience OF public affairs
are misled by anciful anaoges into theoretical disserta
TONS by which they convince themselves, at least that
our government, follow prescribed track to certain
aud inevitable ruin This disposition is hardly TO be re-
GREETED for il has but little effect upon the public mind
which is thoroughly imbued with the knowledge that the
Irregularities of our government and condition, and the
great achievements OF modern intellect must modify the
lessons to be drawn from the past history OF other ma
tons We shall therefore state briefly the leading points
in Mr. Trescotts argument understand II, and pro-
coed to expose its fallacy.
OF course Mr. Prescott denounces the recent egsla.
ton of Congress but he does not condescend to justify
his nor does he base his argument the
action OF Congress Indeed, he expressly states they
are mistaken who think that the southern people are
called upon rebel against practical oppression-to
overturn some special congressional enactment" We
will therefore pass This point and examine those
on which Mr.. Trescott relies 10 show that the Union
ought to be dissolved and that the interests OF the south
ern States require that they should form separate con-
federacy Mr., Prescott is notvery pespcuous in his
language nor does he to have much regard for og
cal deductions; yet have endeavoed to ascertain the
current OF his thought and shall be careful to state
him fairly and correctly.
The foundation on which Mr. Prescott builds his
theory is the old idea OF fatalism, and the neces-
sity Of an intenecine war between different inter-
ess. The position is assumed that legitimate govern
ment being the larger development Of the principles
which undee the social institutions Of nation, must
conform to popular IDEAS and thus become the slave
Of some dominant influence He even finds the germs Of
two antagonist forces in the settlement OF Plymouth and
Jamestown He then points out the different geo.
graphical interests Of the country and refers to the diff
feren relations existing between labor and capital at the
North and at the South to fory the idea of dissolution
as absolutely necessary to protect the South from the
ruthless hand of dominant majority, and to give that
portion OF the Union government in harmony with its
wants, necessities, and interests.
Ii will be seen at glance that Mr. Prescott overooks
most pregnant and prominent fact He forgets entirely
to allude the nature Of federatve system; and he
foges to mention that we have State governments
as well as general government. If the United States
constituted consolidated empire, governed entirely by
central authority, there might be some plausiblity in
Mr. Trescois reasoning, and some force in the anaoges
which he draws from foreign But fortunately
for the country, and unfortunately for his argument the
fact is different We have one federal government for
national purposes, and thryone State governments for
local purposes The many varied interests which have
been created by the different relations of labor and CAPT.
tadierence in soil. climate, and Productions-ars not
inusted to the government and thus brought into
fierce and deadly conflict they placed under the
of different governments; and thus placed they have
powerful tendency to prevent any interest from OBJ
tanning the control Of the national legislation Mr. Tres
colt only part OF his subject He is correct in be-
lieving that when people have only great interest,"
they in the best situation TO frame free and stable
government Thus far the advocates Of limited terri
tory are right But all OF them 20 further and argue that
the fewer the interests embraced 10 country the better for
its freedom, prosperity and stability This is not logical
While il best for nation to be pervaded from its centre
to its circumference by interest and feeling, the
NEST dangerous condition for people to be placed in
i. 10 be divided by distinct interests Then the struggle
becomes direct and the weak must yield 10 the strong If
there are three interests there much danger The
danger is still further diminished II there than
three for with every new interest the probability that
any interest will be strong enough 10 override all
other combinations becomes remote. We therefore
regard the multiplicity Of interests percepble in the
United States as evidences Of the strength of the Union,
while each is guarded and protected BY State oganza
ton Mr. Trescott manfests in portions oil his pamphlet
some faint perception of the force Of his views for while
he lays down three great geographical divisions he bases
his argument on the supposion that there only
the North and the South.
In this connexion will mention another Of the
Charleston pamphleteer which may to illustrate
the loose and illogical character Of his reasoning We
find the following pages and OF the pamphlet;
Sin examining the conflicting characters Of great
ons uniavorable introduction such invesgs
ton to discover that Nature herself has drawn deeply
sectional lines Now, II map Of the settled portion Of the
North American continent be prepared, indicating only the
great ranges and the large rivers the super
csl review wond mark three grand divsons-he North,
the South Vests the North and South this side Of
Aeghanies the West beyond II, having Its Pacific border,
It's bold headands looking out on Asia It's oapscous har-
bos and Its rivers, rising. running, empyng beyond
the mounains-even their separated by immense
territories from the heights OF Atlantic commerce wealth.
unbounded wealth. or its inheritance and independence
the esay condition Of Its future l upon this side Of
the mountains great sections divided by the Ohio and
the Potomac from the Mississippi the Atlantic the North
possessing In Lakes and the st. Lawrence channel oil
commerci communication reaching from Wisconsin
Mane and South enjoying in ths Mississippi the
connexon from Missouri to Florida