The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1855-11-24

NationaIism and SectienaitsHn. !,
In a country. ike ours, extending from one
ocean to the other. and from the chain OF
lakes on the North, to the Gulf OF Mexico
on the South, embracing every variety ot
climate, soil and productions, there will me-
cessarily exist a diversity Of occupations
and interests among the people. What viii
-seeurs the immediate advantage ofone To-
cali,y, may be deemed injurious to another
where different climate prevails and dlHer-
eht concetns engage the attention. OF the
INHABITANTS. New England, the middle wes-
tern and Southern States, aud the growing
territories Of the West, while they are each
and all important parts of the national on-
ion. At the same time, are each and all mark
sd bv features peculiar to themselves, and
recurring different lines Of policy to insure
their growth and prosperity
The same General Government extenas
over this wide country; and an important
question for solution by our fathers, was'as
20 the best manner Of securing the TRIUMPH
and success of each local interest and yet re-
tain the whole under one perfect bond OF
Union. 1t is absolutely impossible tor
limited States Congress. to understand, and
lseislate for, the affairs of each little dis
trict. To avoid the difficulty growing out
Of this fact, the State governments Preserv'
ed TO themselves important powers ana pre-
rogatiyes; so that each State and terrltorv's
within its own jurisdiction, an independent
sovereignty, with full power to make ana
execute laws in regard to its own internal
and local concerns.
This is happy feature in our republic
While the national Constitution Is as
chain binding the Conlederated States to-
cetber for mutual protection and defense;
the local Constitutions secure to the people
the free and uninterrupted management OF
their more immediate interests
In the progres Of affairs, perhaps more dir
aculty has grown out Of an ignorance OF th'
,ols,ions which exists between the State AM
federal governments, than any aud all otn
y, nausAs combined. Massachusetts,, for
instance, claims the right Of regulating no
only her own, but the affairs of all the rest o
the Union. Missouri following in her wake
goes into Kansas, for the purpose OF deter
mining the institutions Of that country
South Carolina now and then comes forwar'
and threatens dissolution and destruction
unless some fsyorite measure OF hers sha
be adopted. BY looking on the map, it WI
be seen that these States in and OF then
selves, do not constitute the whole OF IN
western continent. or even the Unite
States. They are emily parts OF the con'e'
sracv. important parts it may be, but
they were to be stricken out entirely, thef
would be quite Large population and terr
torv left. Hisfolly and worse than foil
violation of the national compact II
.ny one Of these states to attempt to di
tate the loealfaws and institutions of anothe
er 10 ask that Congress shall bend the leg'sl'
lion OF the country to suit their peculi'
4 whims without any reference to the rights
The line Of demarkation between II
State and federal Governments, is clear
defined. We believe in strict constructie
Of the National Constitution. Let the stat
and territories, cling to their reserved right
let the General Government stand by th
nowers and duties conferred upon it. Init
settlement of all local questions such
slavery, marriage and divorce, the admin
tration of estates, the granting Charters
incorporated companies and many oth'
things which will readily suggest themselve
10 the mind, the states and territories hav
exclusive control within the limits OF the
iurisdiction. In the establishment OF Po
roads, the regulation Of Commerce, the lev
ms Of war &c, the General Government hi
sole authority. Let each keep within Tn
limits Of its own sphere. IfCongress e'
croach upon the rights clearly reseved to II
States, let them resist; If the States, exercii
nnwarrantable power, let them be he
strictly to the bond OF Union. And abo'
ali. let not one State attempt to interfel
with the domestic affairs of another.
the "Emigration Aid Society," OF Massach'
setts sends out men to Kansas mot for the pu
pose OF becoming citizens, but to regula
the Institutions of that territory, let u
movement be put down; II Missouri sen
armed men to break open the ballot boxe
or drive the citizens of Kansas away fre
the polls, let the participators in such OF
raRes, meet the traitors doom.
BY rigid adherence 10 this principle
Intervention, the exciiements that nj
and then rise out Of local questions, viii
srelthe origin of powerful parties, and son
times conyuIse the nation from one end
tie other, would be silenced forever. !
fabia aboIitionism Of the North, and the
lei proslaveryisn of the South. would ce
10 disturb ,bs common tranquility. Eschst
and territorial Government would be lef'
work out its own destiny; like the plan
6fshe solar system, each would revolve in
orbit, 1t the sane time, held BY the q
mon bond of Uaion, the csntriPetal POI
ii lie General Gsyerrment.
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