Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1854-08-16
Sectional Parties.

Among the means resorteu TO- oy me ruslon
presses of the North to accomplish their purposes
none is more desperate than an attempt to in.
flame the public mind against the government
and weaken the confidence of the people, in the
valGs of the union. They urge all northern cit
zens irrespective Of party lines and principles, to
unite their forces, and wage an iuterminable war
against the South. They seem to think the States
have no longer anything in common.
Whether the dissolution of the union be their
object or not, certain we are, that if they succeed
in accomplishing their purposes, and establishing
a northern party, such must be the inevitable re-
suit.
There are doubtless evils in our government,
evils which all sincerely deplore. But what are
they compared with the blessings we enjoy! We
will not attempt to calculate the advantages of the
union. They are seen and felt by every commu-
nifty in the country. The rapid advancement we
have made, in population, wealth. and everything
which contributes to the prosperity and power of
the government, has no parallel in history; and
the moral and social condition of the people, is
far above that Of any other nation on the globe.
To our form OF government and institutions, can
this be attributed, more than to any other cause
And yet, this is the governm snt, which the Fu-
sion presses denounce-the one, which they
would overthrow, by building up a party, bound
ed by geographical lines, aud governed by Sec
tional interests.
To aid in building up this northern party, the
New York Tribune, and numerous other papers
which follow in its wake, calls upon the wings to
fsrsake their ancient and established doctrines
and join in the conspiracy against the Union.-
Will they do it! Will those who rallied at the
call Of Henry Clay, who almost idozed him for
his devotion to the Union, now join with Gid
dings, Garrison, and men of like hearts, and by
their votes and influence help to advance the dis
union movement! Were Washington, Jefferson,
Jackson and Clay, living now, would they advise
such course! Would they approve of this sec
tional party! We think not. Neither would any
Of those great and good men, to whom we have
been accustomed to look for examples of exalted
patriotism and virtue.
Ifsectonal interests, alone, are to be the basis
of political organization, and if one section as
sumes the right to regulate the domestic nstitu-
tions of another, our country will soon be over
spread with innumerable and Contendng factions
Dscord and jealousy, will take the peace of har-
meny and order. OF all the evils which can exist
among US, none is greater than internal dissen-
ton. 1t never benefits a people-never eradi-
Gates an error but only serves to strengthen each
faction in the defense of its own wrong Anger
on the one side, excites anger on the other-ha-
tired begets hatred; and in the end, civil war with
all its terrible consequences will be the result.
Such is the legitimate fruit of Sectionalism.
In our view, the surest way to eradicate any
evil which may exist in our midst, is to bind the
States, North, South, East and West, together by
still stronger bonds,-to make all their interests
ONE 30 far as possible. We should cultivate
national, rather than sectional feeling. Conf
dence should take the place ofjealousy. Reason
and prudence will do far more than prejudice or
passion towards accomplishing any reform which
the interests the people may require 1t is not
the part of an honest man to remain blind to er-
ror, but it is equally unjust. to under-rate the real
advantages which we enjoy. 1t is wrong to aid
in building up party, which if successful in its
purpose, will lead to the overthrow of the Gov
er1ment, and the general introduction of discord
and anarchy.