The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-08-14
the UNION AND NORTHERN ooMMERcE.

We are fully aware of the responsibility which rests upon
him who undertakes to calculate the value Of the Union
By this has heretofore been regarded as
forbidden subject for discussion Ever since the Father Of
his Country impressed it upon the people, their highest
duty to frown Indignantly upon the bare suggestion that
the value of the Union susceptible of calculation IL
has been deemed political saeege to dsobey this solemn
injunction. But George Washington did not mean that
the friends of the Union should not estimate its priceless
value of perpetuating Its blessings-he meant
that its friends should frown Indignantly upon the enemy
who should undertake to calculate Its value for the pur
pose OF showing that il ought to be dissolved When such
enemy dares to suggest the propey of dsunon the
obligation becomes imperative that be met with prompt
ness and earnestness.
Whatever professions may be made by republican lead
ers no one be deceived the consequences which
must result from the practical enforcement of the prnc
pies of their organization They may sing hosannahs to
the Union in their electioneerng speeches. but
effect follows cause must the destruction of the
confederacy follow the triumph of their principles This
conviction has fastened upon the minds Of whole
ton of the country and prevails to smnl extent in the
other To avoid terrible catastrophe it is the duty
the friends of the Union to show its true value with the
hope of enlisting public sentiment which will the
mad career of sectionalsm.
We have heretofore expressed regret that the business
men of the North have not manifested the interest
in the pending crisis that has distinguished them former
occasions when seconaism sought to disturb the rea-
,;on zen the No-.h and the South At the time
we predicted with confidence that their wy ano ii-u
ence would be felt in the right direction in due time.
at present abundant that the substantial
Unon-loving men of the North awakening from the
false security in which they have been reposng under the
constant assurances Of the republican organs that all
the cry of dsunion is captrap" This "cry start
ed in an authoritative and imposing voice. which emanaed
from the republican convention. When Gen. Webb rose
In that convention and proclaimed war on the South if
its mission was not successful and when that proclamation
was responded by the convention with loud cheers
and cries of agood" good the true spirit of the
bage was indicated From that day the issue tender
ed by the republicans of union disunon. The plat
form of principles in strict accordance with this dec
aration of 1t announces to the South that the rec
ignition of slavery is nsuperabe obstacle to the ad
mission of any State, and, matter Of course in
unmstakable language procaims that the South not
expected desired to participate in carrying out its OBJ
ects Who needs to be told that If the existence of
slavery in State is valid reason for its exclu
sion from the Union, the would be equal
y valid for the exclusion 6 the old States already in
the Union Let the lovers of tho Union in the North
be imposed upon by the of the organs of the
dsunioniss that there dangerrather let them look
the danger full in the face and prepare to avert it. The
following extracts from the Eastern (Maine Argus will be
found to present the value of the Union in commercial
IF viz of nd
ought to business of the North to the full dis
charge their duties patriots and watchul of
their individual interests.