Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-09-15
THE CALL FOR A WESTERN SEC
TIONAL PARTY.

charged with love for sectional agitation, yet
none can deplore such agitation more than
ourselves It is useless again TO appeal to the
language of the Fathers of our Republic, who
saw in these geographical divisions the real
element of danger to the Confederacy. The
fact is, alas too evident, without being sus
tanned by any authority. The principle is as
old as the teachings Of the Son Of God, that
house divided against itself cannot stand.
With all sincerity, we wish to allay discord, to
promote amity, and to restore confidence be-
tween all sections of the Union. And although
thrust into this sectional controversy, we have
sought to direct our attacks against those alone
who are the enemies Of law and the fomenters
of discord.
It is, therefore, with deep regret that we see
indications of impotence and discomfort among
certain western exchanges, and growing in
clination to unite in the formation of new
party devoted exclusively to the protection Of
western interests. esee in such step all the
evils that have already resulted from the agi-
tation of the North and South. Nor can we
conceive sufficient reason for such discomfort
These western malcontents are inclined to
complain that SO few appropriations have been
made by Congress for their benefit; that while
they contribute largely to the revenue OF the
Government, they receive so small share of
its disbursements
Such an objection would have some force if
the federal government were merely disburs-
ing agent, to distribute the revenue in ratable
proportions among the various sections of the
Union; but such is not the theory of our
government 1t is true that the Constitution
enumerates as one of its great objects the
promotion of the general welfare but not in
the sense which is sometimes supposed. The
''yeneral welfare" is the welfare of the Union as
a whole, not the welfare of different sections.
The Constitution never contemplated the divi-
sion Of the revenue into parcels, to be doled
out afterwards to every member of the Union
according to their respective size and popula-
ton. 1t is this mistaken idea which has been
SO long prevailing, and which has caused so
much discomfort in the administration of our
government. There are those, Of course, who
are incidentally benefited more than others by
every improvement but such benefits are not
the design but the mere collateral effect of the
improvement. Nor should these special bene-
fits be objects of jealousy and discomfort with
Others.
Let us illustrate by an example. State,
for the common benefit of its whole people,
constructs railroad from seaboard through
a rich but undeveloped country. The object
and the whole object, Of such construction is or
ought to be to secure to the State the benefits
derived from the development of her resources,
and the consequent increase in her general
wealth. But in the progress of construction
the land Of every freebooter through which the
road passes is enhanced in value. Each land
owner along the line Of the improvement Is
thus special beneficiary. But this is no just
cause of complaint with others. All the adj
vantage which was ever contemplated by the
construction of the road has been secured and
it is of no consequence to the State in gen.
eral that individuals have received incidental
advantages from that construction. II the
State, in attaining a certain advantage to all,
puts a thousand dollars into the pocket of an
individual, which is not taken from any one
else, It is no Just ground of complaint with the
rest of the community. The proposition is too
plain 10 require further illustration.
Now, apply the same principle to the ques'
con under discussion, which is the system OF
Improvement by the general government. In
erecting a lighthouse, in building and main
tanning a custom-house, in providing and main
tanning navy, in doing anything to regulate
commerce, Congress may well have the power
with which it is invested, Of appropriatlng
money. These improvements are for the ben
eft Of all. Every section Of the Union is
participant in the improvement and advance
ment of our commercial relations. Nor should
!, be ground Of complaint that States on the
Atlantic or Pacific seaboard have certain priv
ileges and incidental advantages arising from
such appropriations. So long as the general
government restricts its policy OF Improvement
in rigid conformity to the Constitution, securing
the benefits of such policy TO the whole Union,
so long will it be free from any just charge OF
partially in the disbursement Of the revenue.
1t is well for the prosperity and perpetuity OF
our government that such restrictions have
been placed upon Congress. Once admit the
right of Congress 10 legislate specially for any
one point, without reference to the benefit OF
the whole Union, and we are gone. Sectional
combinations would be formed which would
confine appropriations to particular sections OF
country or what is even worse, system of
log-rollng would ensue, whereby the most lavish
and reckless expenditure OF the public revenue
would be made for objects unworthy the notice
of any statesman. Under such circumstances
there might be much ground for the complaint
Of our western contemporaries, that money is
lavished with partial hand upon favored sec.
tons of the Union.
We may advert TO this subject at greater
III l.-.oaar In the meantime. with sol.