American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1856-06-07
ssLBERrY AND leEpA
NOORGAN7ON NONOGAA COUNTY VA SSA7lUBDA 7 JUNE SS6

North and the South are linked togeth-
er by too many golden memories, and
fraternal bonds, are intertwined too
closely i'll many of the dearest, sweet-
est, holiest ties of life, and are too de-
pendent on each other, ever to separate
and be arrayed one against the other
in deadly strife. For we assume it as
certain that nothing less than a cause
for civil war could separate us. Any
quarrel Sufficiently furious to break all
these bonds, and tear asundcr our
bleeding confederacy, would not stop
with the mere dissolution of the Union
and the organization Of two;distinct
and peaceful governments. The great
boon Of contention-Sl Slayery--would
still exist, and any one can see thatiit
would inevitably bring the two sections
into immediate collision. The border
States would be the scene ofperpetual
difficulty, and of interminable and
bloody war, g war to the knife" All
the energies of the two nations would
be diverted from the peaceful walks Of
industry, and the holy charities of re-
ligion, to the destruction of each other.
Our fields would lie untitled and un-
reaped, our manufactures---except
those Of arms, ammunition and military
stores-would stand still, our ships
would lie rottening at our wharves, or
be employed only as messengers of Vi,
olence and death; our churches would
be deserted or filled with sorrow strick-
en- women and children, while the men,
were away on the battle field bathing
their hands in their brothers blood
in short an imagination as prolific in
horrors even as that of Dante could
not paint the dreadful picture which
this fair land of ours would present
were the desolating flames Of CIVIL WAR
once kindled. 4, f4s .f,sE
And yet the question is discussed,
and the desirableness of dissolvinr the
Union is maintained mot only by 4 few
fanatics, like those "come- cutters" who
denounce the Bible and the Constitu-
tion in the same breath with their exc.
crations Of the South, but by mcn on
both sides, hitherto regarded as con-
iseryatiye, sober men, by ministers bear
ing the name Of Christians, and by in
telligent, respectable, and worthy citi-
zens. The great body of northern
men viii now patiently and listen to
public denunciations of their Southern
brethren and even applaud them, whore
a few years ago, the offender would
have been hissed from the platform
and the men Of the South are growing
more and more impatient of northcrn
interference, and bitterness, and less
disposed to bear it quietly.
The questions connected with Kan.
sas seem to have brought this exaspcr-
ated feeling on both sides to point,
and to have increased its intensity un-
til it glows with fearful heat. The re-
cent TRADE in the Senate against South
ern institutions and their defenders by
the Hon. member from Massachusetts
and the subsequent assault upon him
by Southern member of the House,
are but an outbreak and an illustration
OF opposing feelings which exist widely
and deeply in both sections of the
country. The bonds which unite us
are even now rudely strained, and it
needs but yielding to the impulse Of
fiery passion to break them forever.