The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-08-10

handiciaft, was alloweu seat ana vote.
Towards the last Of its existence it sought the
favor and protection Of foreign princes, and final
~ became an abject instrument in the hands of the
Romans and the prey of their greedy pro-con-
subs. That human nature was then what it is
now, we do not deny; but in all else the vastest
of changes have taken place. To our classical
alarmists, then, we pay no attention.
Our difficulties belong to our own age pecu-
liarly; they have arisen from sentimental, and
even humane tendencies, in class of theorists
and Missionaries, overlooking all practical con-
siderations all the memorable conditions of life
pacts and constitutions, and who propose to re-
construct society upon plan more lasting and
more equitable than any yet proceeding either
from God or man. The resistance to such theo-
ries is natural enough; yet even this has not been
properly or discreetly urged by our Southern
brethren, and between the two factions great
and powerful nation has been endangered.
But we will suppose for moment that the in
fdels and fanatics of the North and the silly and
presumptuous demagogues Of the South, much a.
they oppose each other in principle, should bring
about result in which these extremes meet-that
of separation of the Union-what would be the
fate of the small Northern, Middle and Southern
Statess In the first place, as the spirit OF
compromise would be annihilated by the disrup-
ton, and as we can never hope again to have in
any one generation such men as framed our 60
vernment, fresh material interests, the unchecked
force of numbers, and the ambition Of bad men
would control the new arrangements No small
State would ever again have an equal voice in
Senate with a larger one. Majorities Of the
strong would never again tolerate equality with
the weak. Those States having the most slaves
would rule those who have the least for they are
not now satisfied with the full share they have il
the advantages, honors and Official emoluments Of
the nation, but are seeking TO enlarge it. There
would be no safety for the small States they
would be absorbed and annihilated.
What would become of Florida or Texas, even
now but for the protection of the general gov
eminent against the embittered aborgines, who
still continue their bloody excursions at every
opportunity: Is any Southern State rich enough
to carry on Seminole war or garrison the banks
lation of slaves in their midst in some instances
equal to that of the whites be ready or willing to
send their militia hundreds of miles distant to de-
fend confederates who could never repay the ia
vor, and whose amity would be perfectly without
values What would become Of little Delaware
what OF the District Of Columbia-nether of them
Of the least political consequence Of themselves?
u 1t
become Of the Plantations jostled and squeezed
up between more powerful and populous neigh
bors +! Would the latter consent to have this
little finger of the North grasping as much as their
whole hand? How is it possible when the spirit
of compromise is to be extinguished now, that it
OF comfy, peace and harmony is ready to destroy
the very bet arranged of political systems, with
all its admirable precautions in checks and ba-
lances, what will il not do when ii will have full
play in smaller and more easily disturbed CON-
munities? 1t must be apparent to the most mat
tentive observer that the small States will be made
tributary TO the larger, or be entirely absorbed
by them at the very start. In this view they may
learn something from the fate OF the classic nations
They would not have the means OF self-defence
Their population small, their resources moderate
they could not Withstand the aggression Of the
strong Nor could they seek foreign alliances
without becoming the vassals of their protectors,
or maintain that position without continual con-
fiicts. So, too the expenses Of maintaining re-
venue system along their frontiers would be be-
yond their resources, for already some of the in
sane both in the North and South. speak of non
intercourse rs desirable event In short. view
il in NAas light we may, the small States would
lose their present position Of equality, their iufu
enoe AMI their Importance and amid the continual
contests going on around thcm-suchas We see In
the republican governments, 80 called, In Central
and South America--they would be overrun, de-
spoiled and ruined Let then, the statesmen Of
the small States-if any such remain-ponderw
upon the impotcnt and wretched conclusion to
which they must come, If they in the least coun-
tcnance these inccndiary schemes. Now there
arc az least five. whose authority in the Se-
nate Of The United States i as great a. that Of
five Of ~ largest States. They have now nearly
one-sixth Of the power OF the nation. both in the
appointments Of the general government and the
treaty making prerogativcs. Can they expect
any such share again. by any revolutionary and
factious Encouragement Of the fragments Of the
Uniong
Let us be more practical and we shall be- more
patriotic. The slavery question. in its worst
phases. is the smallest Of all questions compared
with that Of disunion II is an evil but il is not
Of our seeking; yet It has not impaired the growth
Of our country, or the increase Of it, wealth. or
the development Of its resources On the con-
,rary. the latter have actually gained by lis con-
tnuancc. We cannot have everything perfect In
this world: We have now more blessings, civil
and religious. Than any other nation ever had.
Shall we forfeit these by our imprudence aud
folly? The architects Of ruin should pause in
their mad career They may destroy. but they