The Washington union., 1858-02-20
THE LOSS OF THE EQUILIBRIUM BETWEEN SEC

THE LOSS OF THE EQUILIBRIUM BETWEEN SEC
TIONS.
The importance of fair and permanent settle
ment of our sectional differences grows greater and
greater as events progress on this continent.
The equilibrium between North and South which
existed 30 long has been finally lost and the
fact of its destruction never to be again restored,
entirely changes the nature Of our sectional agita-
ica machine mutual, and sections wers equally
matched in the government, their quarrels were
merely quarrels. Whatever anInositics might have
mutually existed or been exhibited, neither section
feared any actual aggression; each felt perfect Sc
curity from the other in the practical working of
the government. The passions of sections might be
kindled into fame but they could take effect only
in consuming rhetoric. SO long each held cheek
upon the other in either Of the coordinate
branches of the government their wars could be
only wars of Words the belligerent spirit could
effervesce only in defamation it couhsnot possibly
assume the form of actual aggression through the
action Of the government.
But the sautary equilibrium which has SO long ex-
listed between the North and South, and has 80 long
uWuleu ucH luhIcib W ucTc ulbputcb upon dD-
stract propositions, is lost. The North has not
only population two to one greater than that of
the South, and aggregate wealth of capital and OF
material and industrial resources greater than the
section but it has representation in tho
national legislature, in house largely predomi-
nant in the other positively though not largely
overbalancing. Having possession of both branches
e tl,a n
would have now only to elect an executive who
should be animated by sectional anmosites, and
the work of aggression would cease to be mere
work of words, but become one of acts and deeds
The equilibrium of sections is lost first in 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 majority
of States giving it, with it's majority of population,
the power, when ii suits its pleasure to elect sec
tonal President to do its sectional bidding. Not
only has this equilibrium been lost in every depart
men of the federal government, but the preponder-
ance which has supervcned is likely to be aug
mcntcd. For, the adoption of the principle of
expansion which Incorporated into the com
ulations which emigratc from the two sections
into our new domain are allowed to settle the
domestic institutions of States by majority of
votes-must, in the nature of things, cn,ire most
largely and rapidly to the more populous section,
having the greatest power Of expansion. The pre-
ponderance of the North, already fully established
canpot fall under the operation of this principle in
the admission of future new States to go ON ncreas
ing and to increase.
In this relative attitude, present and prospective
do the two great SECTIONS of the Union stand at pres
ent and it must be plain to every comprehension
that tho question Of interference by the stronger Sec
ton in the domestic affairs of the weaker has as
sumed new significance. The South has always
shown herself intensely sensitive under mere alb
stract agitation of the slavery question, when she
possessed power in one branch of Congress- or the
other, to prevent any actual Of aggression
What must be her temper in the future now that
all branches of the government are under the con
troll of the North?
The security of the South is no longer in her
power to enforce, but in the North's calingness
to observe tho constitution. The agitation against
her institutions no longer involves merely unes-
ton of right, but has become also a question
of will irrespectively of right. The mere will
of northern majority to interfere, harass, and
agtate has all the significance that actual
legislation would have had before. For no ono can
foresee what violence of aggression tho infamed
passions of furious, reckless, and blind northern
fanaticsm may not drive the majority of the North
into.
Would il be singular unnatural, If the South
recollectng tho conduct Of northern aboonists for
tho last thirty years, the doctrines they have pro-
claimed, and the purposes they have avowcd-see-
ing them at last in the ascendant in almost every
northern State, and their counsels prevailing in al
most every northern Legislature anticipating that
the action of the majority section organized as a
section, in the federal councils may soon bo mac
cordance with the sentiments of it's popular and legs
ative majorities at home--we ask, if il would be
should, amid the important events that are occur
ring and are anticipated neghboring portions of
this continent, be very solicitous to know at the
present juncure of our own affairs, what footing
she to stand in the Union with respect to the ma
orty section?
There those, even at the South, who have long
hoped that when the prcpondcrance of the North n tho
federal government should be finally established. a
sentiment of generous and fraternal forbearance
would take the place of the aggressive spr;t which