Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-03-01
LETTER pnom mnmoN. A.nH.srUAnr.

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alton OF its patriotic objects il could do without vio
ating other engagements. But my duties as a member
of the Senate OF Virginia and delegate to the conven-
ton OF the Opposition party of my own State which is to
assemble in Richmond on the birthday of Washington,
require my presence here.
fearful crisis in the affairs Of country has arrived
and patriotism demands that the sober and rejecting
OF all names aud parties should rally to the rescue
of the Constitution and the Union from the dangers
which environ them.
Who can unfold the map -four country without being
impressed with the grandeur of the heritage We enjoy
Stretching along the Atlantic from the frozen regions OF
the forth to the Gulf of Mexico and westward to the
Pacific, it embraces every variety OF soil and climate
and adaptation to every production necessary Tor the
comfort and happiness of man. Each of the grand d.
visions of the conederacy has its peculiar advantages
and disadvantages but it is wisely ordained by Provi-
dence that each has the capacity to minister to the wants
of the other; aud thus the North and the South, the
East and the West, the compliments OF one great
system Take away either and the system would be in
complete. The North has a comparatively sterile SOIL
aud ungenia climate and is therefore unfit for agrcul
ual pursuits. But possesses compromising advanta-
seS in a bold and well defined coast, deep inlets and
harbours rapid streams abundant timber an Intelligent
vigorous and enterprsng population, proximity to the
great fishing banks and geographical POSITION taking
into consideration the current of the Gutstream mid
between the Southern ports and the great
marts of Europe These physical pecularities have d.
rected the attention othe people of that part ohe coun
try to navigation, commerce and manufactures
The middle country and great west, blessed with a
mild climate and fertile SOIL find profitable employment
in agriculture and the food producing regions Of the
continent.
In the South where the scOrching rays Of the dry
up the small grains and grasses and disquay the white
man for the abors of the field the workshop the soil
and climate are adapted to the productions OF cotton
rice sugar and tobacco the fruits ofsave labor.
Thus by an ordinance of God himself national divis
ion of labor il established between the different sections
and each is forbidden from interfering with the appropr
ate avocation of the others Each produces what the
other cannot produce and each supplies the wants of the
Others The South produces its rich stapes-the North
Transports manufactures and sells them, and the middle
country and the West supply food TO all. The recipro
cal advantages resulting this natural relation of the
great divisions OF the coniedeacy TO each other so
papabe that it is matter OF surprise that any could
fail to perceive them Our fathers understood the sub
ject we'll They knew that diversity of production and
occupation did not necessarily imply anagonism of in
terests On the contrary they had the wisdom TO per-
ceive that difference of soil climate and production
per the guidance of enlightened craftsmanship,
of concord and unity. Our Federal Constitution
therefore framed in spirit OF comp ehensye patriot
ISM and intended secure harmony and protect the
interests Of every portion OF our widely extended do
main.
In the earlier and better days of the Republic, we
heard nothing Of sectional eaousies "irrepressibe
conflicts" The statesmen OF these days did not seek to
popularity Dl pdiutFluB 10 popular prluulceS,
inilmng local excitements. Men like Washington and
Hamilton and Madison took wider views. They
statesmen in the accepatOn of the term. They look
ed to the welfare of the whole country and not Of part
OF it, Their policy embraced the interests OF all. In
stead of seeking causes of discussion in local differences
and trying array section against the other, they
drew them together by the ties of mutual interest aud
a common patriotism and united them firmly, and trust
iuseparably by the bonds Of the Federal compact.
Under the shelter Of the government reared by their
hands and in obedience their counses have lived
together happily for than seventy years True,
that from time to time causes Of dissatisfaction have
sprung up but by the practice OF mutual charity and for
beirauce, they have soon passed away.
In the Continental Congress- and in the Federal con-
vcutOn, differences Of opinion in regard the re-
laous of the confederate government to the subject of
slavery disclosed and constituted difficulties in the
formation Of the confederation and afterwards of the
more perfect Union, under the constitution But they
speedily adjusted by compromise satisfactory to
both parties.
From 1883 to 500 the subject of slavery was rarely
referred to in the Legislative Halls. In the meantime
Louisiana had been acquired without objection from the
Northern St,tes and was incorporated into the Union.
Again in SIG the Florida treaty ratified oy the
mous vote Of the Senate Of the United States although
it added largely to the area OF slavery.
In 1920 the free States, for the first time exhibited
an unfortunate jealousy of the growing power of their
sisters OF the South and sought impose antisavery
restrictions the State of Missouri. This tendency
geographical division Of parties excited serious alarm
throughout the country, and Mr. Jefferson said that the
fell his ear, like the sound OF fre-bell in the
night.
Fortunately orthe cause of freedom and Of the Union
the difficulty accommodated by the defeat of the
proposed restrictions and the adoption Of the celebrated
Missouri Compromise which dedicated the country North
Of the parallel OF 30 30 outlet for the expanding
population of the free States and that South Of il for the
slave States. The two systems of labor and society
thus left free progress Westward side by side without
interfering with each other.
But it should be remembered that amidst all the e1
element attending the controversy about the Missouri
restriction no hostility manifested, the part of
the Northern people, towards the institution of Slavery
The opposition was limited to the political influences
which it supposed to exert in the councils of the
nation.
THIS compromise restored peace and harmony to the
country. Free and Slave States were admitted into the
Union without objection as they prepared TO take
their places in the sster.OOd Of States
This condition of thing continued until lS32-3-
wheu ulder the influence Of false political philosophy
the Southern States Insisted on a reversal o. what had
been the fixed policy othe Government, since 6 in re-
gard 20 the protection OF American manufactures This
mistaken step placed slave labor in attitude of appa-
rent autlgonm 10 free labor aud generated angry feel
ing throughout the country. Unfortunately, the North
crn people, portion Of them, under the influence Of
excited passions which always unsafe guides TO par
ties well individuals, were not coutent to oppose
the political Influences ot Siao0y by those means which
are legitimate under the Constitution but commenced
warfare on dagery itself. This was an objectionable
on the part of the NORTH for il extra Constitutional
aud revolutionary inasmuch 1t sought to destroy the
whole social system Of the South This in my Judgment
the true of aboltioaism Il has Its origin in
that false political economy which deranged the normal
relations of the systems OF labor and placed those
elements of National power and progress which ought
TO have worked together in harmony, miuisterng TO
each others prosperity in attitude of unnatural
tagonsm.
From that time to the present. the contest has been
waged with intensity varying with the fluctuations in
the policy OF the Government in regard to the protec
lion OF American manufactures.
This lamentabe feeling Of alienation between the
Northern and Southern States seized upon by
politicians in both sections, means to be used in adj
yancing their selfish ends In the South, the Dem
ocratic party arTogated to itself the peculiar champion
ship of the interests of the slave States and boldly de-
n0unced all who would not yield obedience to its be-
hest hostile to the institutions of the South. In its
blind zeal aud prurent desire acquire uudsputed do
miniOn in the Southern States it swept from the Statute
book the compromise act of 1920 tramped under foot
the peace of 1850 through its accredited organ
Mr. Buchanan proclaimed its purpose TO acquire Cuba
per s ant netds-sought seize on Sonora and Cbihua
-endeayored TO force slavery on Kansas, against
the will of her peope-and manifested, in some locai
les strong squirting, at the re-opening OF the Ari-
can slave trade.
On the other hand, large party IN the North, equally
regardless of their obligations under the Constitution,
and of their pghted faith their sister States unbush-
ngly proclaimed their purpose to disregard the provis
ions of the federal cOmpact-to deny the equal rights OF
the South in the territories which had been acquired by
the common blood and treasure of the Nation-and to
wage a of determination the institutions of the
South.
Ii has been heraded to the world that an 'rrepressi-
BILE conflict exists between the North and the South,
which must continue until one or the other Is suodued
This is in substance proclamation of disunion, civil