The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1858-03-09
LOSS OF THE EQUILIBRIUM BE-
TWEEN SECTIONS.

settlements OF our seCLloudi dlutTenCes
grows greater and greater as events pro-
gress on this continent.
The Equilibrium between North and
South which existed so long has been final
ly lost; and the fact of its destruction,
never to be again restored. entirely changes
| the nature of our sectional ~ agitations.-
While the checks and balances of our pe-
litical machine were mutual, and sections
were equally matched in the government,
their quarrels were merely quarrels.-
| Whatever animosities might have mutual
ly existed or been exhibited. neither section
feared any actual aggression each felt a
perfect security from the other in the prac-
teal working of the government. The
passions Of sections might be kindled into a
| fame, but they could take effect only in
consuming rhetoric. So long as each ether
| held check upon the other in either one
| of the coordinate branches of the govern
ment, their wars could only be wars of
words; the belligerent spirit could effer-
| ve<ce only in defamation; it could not
| possibly assume the form of actual aggres-
sion through the action Of the government.
But the salutary equilibrium which has
so long existed between the Nerth and
South, and has so long dwarfed their quar-
rels to mere disputes upon abstract opposi-
tons, is now lost. The North has not only
a population two to one greater than that
of the South, and an aggregate wealth of
capital and material and industrial re-
sources greater than the competing sec
ton, but it has representation in the
National Legislature, i'll one house largely
predominant, in the other as positively
though not as largely overoalancing. Hav-
ing possession of both branches of the Ma
tlonal Legislature. the majority section
would have now only to elect an Executive
who should be animated by sectional ami
mositieS. and the work of aggression would
cease to be a mere work of words, but be-
come one of acts and deeds.
The equilibrium of sections is lost: first,
i'll the great preponderance of the Northern
population over the Southern; next, in the
larger representation of that section in both
Houses of Congress and, finally, in the
attainment. by the same section, of a ma
jority of States-giving it. with its MAORI
ty of population, the power, when it suits
it's pleasure, to elect a sectional President
to do its sectional bidding. Not only has
this equilibrium been lost in every depart
ment of the Federal Government, but the
preponderance which has supervened is
likely to be argumented. For, the adop
tion of the principle of expansion which
was Incorporated into the compromises of
1850 and 1854-under which the popula-
tions which emigrate from the two sections
into our new domain are allowed to settle
the domestic institutions of new States by
a majority Of vetes-must, in the nature of
things, enure most largely and rapidly
to the more populous section, having the
greatest power of expansion. The prepon-
derance of the North, already fully esta5-
lished, cannot fail. under the operation Of
this principle in the admission of future
new States, to go on increasing and to in
crease.
In this relative attitude, present and pro-
spective. do the tive great sections of the
Union stand at present; and it must be
plain to every comprehension that the ques-
tion of interference by the stronger section
in the domestic affairs of the weaker. has
assumed a new significance. The South has
always shown herself intensely sensitive
under mere abstract agitation of the
slavery question, when she possessed pow
er in one branch Of Congress or the other,
to prevent any actual measure in aggress-
ion. What must be her temper in the flu
ture, now that all branches of the govern
ment are under control of the North !
The security of the South is no longer in
her power to enforce, but in the North's
willingness to observe the Constitution.
The agitation against her Institutions ne
longer involves merely a question of right.
but has become also question of will ir-
respective of right. The mere will of
Northern majority to interfere. harass. and
agitate, has now all the significance that
actual legislation would have had before.
For no one can foresee what violence of
aggression the infiamed passions of reck
less and blind Northern faraticism may
not drive the majority of the North into.
Would it be singular or unnatural, if the
the conduct of North
ern Abolitionists for the last thirty years.
the doctrines they have proclaimed, and
the purpose they have avewed-seaing
them at last in the ascendant in almost
every Northern State. and their counselS
prevailing in almests every Northern Leg
that the action of
the majority section organized as section
in the Federal Councils, may soon be in
accordance with the sentiments of its popu-
lar and legislative majorities at home-we
ask. if it would be unnatural, under these |
if the South should. amid |
the important events that are occurring
and are anticipated on neighboring portions
of this continent, be very solicitnus to
know at the present iuncture of our own |