The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-11-20
FALSE ISSUES AMONGST FRIENDS AND FOES.

The recent speech of the distinguished senator
from South Carolina embraces some points of pccu-
liar interest to the members of the democratic party
throughout the Union, which cannot be too often
presented to the political reader He discusses for in
stance question of the Equality of the Sections
in the national Legislature subject that has largely
occupied the public mind for many years past-with
frankness, force, and array of facts almost abso
lutely conclusive. We have never entertained the
opinion that it necessary, possible, or desirable
to maintain in the government, forces of equal
weight in the North and South, in order to insure
the Just and equitable operation of the federal
system. We have never been willing to aoknowl-
edge in fact the existence of such clements to CON
suit the peculiar interests of the one the other in
conducting public affairs. 1t was that principle,
in its most mischieyous and damaging character,
that gave us the Missouri Compromise the same
sectional policy which Mr. Seward has recently in
voked at Rochester to sustain him and his republic
can associates in making upon the institutions
of the States. When we come to recognise the free
States in body as distinctive power in the gov
ernment it is manifest effect must be given to their
action in some way. If they are to be known no
longer as members of the confederacy but as an or
ganzed Section operating sectional basis they
are then foreign body, and ii is difficult to see
how they are to be restrained within constitutional
limits
1t is enough that we have government of laws
confederation of independent sovereign States,
bound together by compact. That compact is the
rule by which the system is to be operated 1t is
based upon the principle of equality of rights, and
intended to secure nearly possible equality of
benefits to all. 1t is brotherhood looking to the
good of all SO constructed of various inter
ests, opinions and even prejudices, as to achieve
equal benefits to the parties thereto II is clear in
such government, that the faithful enforcement of
the organic law is the very best and we are salts
fed the only means of preserving it. To rely upon
this that section to effect honest administration
of the system to contend that the political weight
of the South should be equal to that of the North,
would only be another way of assailing the real
principle Of the Union, and building up and foment-
ing the imaginary antagonisms which constitute the
foundation and superstructure Of the republican edi-
fee.
On this subject Mr. Hammond is peculiarly ex-
plict and conclusive. He says the immigration
from Europe to the North is sufficient to form one or
more new States every year" and that "to the South
there is literally no emigration. Here is u state
ment of current events which cannot be denied. 1t
does not involve any invasion Of rights, any viola
ton of law or any sacrifice of interest. 1t is sim
ply the uttcrance of the truth in reference the
movement of populations. Mr.. Hammond goes fur
ther and insists that the slave States possess pow
erful empire political and material and shows how
they are able to command within their present limits
and with their present labor, under the operations
of the federal government, their due share of pros
perity and control In this respect concur with
the senator The slave States occupy, and, from the
very nature of their LABOR SOILS climates and pro-
ductons must ever occupy, commanding position
in tho American Union. They have nothing to fear
because the world their customers and they for
tunatey possess monopoly of those products which
every nation of mankind must have and because
in political point of view, they have grown to the
full stature of manhood with infinite muscle for self
protection.
Mr.. Hammond is also right in estimating the in
herent weakness of northern Abolitionsm, and in
relying upon the fidelity patriotism, and good faith
of the northern democracy to sustain the South in
the enforcement of constitutional rights for the
mon good Of ALL There is a lesson, full Of valuable
suggestions, in all this, which we trust will not be
lost upon the democratic party of tho whole Union.
1t opens to that party common ground Of action.
1t removes many imaginary causes Of contention and