Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-10-23
mn Fvtvre on sectionnIirm.

10 a race between a candidate locally North
ern, and supposed to represent ideas or in
terests corresponding to the locality, and
candidate locally Southern, and supposed to
represent ideas or interests in like manner
corresponding; with a preponderance of
chances in favor of the former. The result
will probably be the success of the Northern
candidate, elected exclusively by Northern
electoral votes, as against the Southern can
didate receiving only Southern electoral
, votes. In any case however, we seem des-
tined to have what will, in respect to the
circumstances of locality and political ac-
tion, bear the appearance of a sectional Presi-
dent-who to such as look no farther, will be
subject to that imputation.
The sectionslism to be deprecated is not
that which consists in the accident of resi-
deace, but that which appears in the admin
istration of the officer. Its existence and ex-
tent can only be determined by time and in
vestigation. Politicians and party journals
will be inclined to try and convict before
hand; nay, even TO sentence, and carry their
sentence into execution. Violent alarm and
desperate measures have already been be-
spoken in case Mr. Lincoln is elected upon
one side; and would, perhaps, be upon the
other, in case the prospects of Mr.. Breckin-
ridge were somewhat improved. These ter
rors, however, are not entitled to much re-
spect. There is nothing to be feared beyond
the circles of placemen, office-seekers and
walters upon the party providence, from the
election of Mr.. Lincoln; nothing from that
of Mr.. Breckenridge. The Union, if it de-
serves to stand, will bear any President that
any majority of the people of the States see
fit to elect. If it is necessary for the contin-
nance of this nation that its Chief Magistrate
come from any particular section of the same,
the sooner it is disbanded the better.
Nor by the coming election, however it
may eventuste, is there reason to dread that
injustice will be done to persons, or injury
to proprietary rights, on its account. 1t
pleases politicians, because it adds to their
Importance, to treat rights as the gift of laws
and constitutions, and therefore, repealable.
By throwing themselves into an imaginary
breach to resist the repeal of some right,
which they assume to be in danger, they ac-
quire vast consequence. Now beside the
fact that interests, founded upon right, are,
in themselves, irrepealable, it may be safely
set down that there is not single import
ant, economical interest in any one section
of the country which is not so intimately
allied to the interests of all the others as to
be out of danger of damaging attack, either
from legislative power or executive in
fuence.
There is, however, that in the present
state of things which, taken in connection
with the history of the past quarter of CEN
fury, would seem to indicate that the Presi-
Dental election of 1860 will be, in an i'm
portant sense, the beginning of a new po-
litical era. The numerical preponderance
Of the Northern States--a preponderance
which will be increased by the census of
this year-will come to be practically under
stood; and in all future questions of party
policy will be recognized as a governing
element. In the decision of all issnes to
which a sectional aspect has been given
where Northern interests are made to appear
antagonistic to Southern interests - the
North will govern; and in all elections where
the policy or the ambition of the South is
set up against that of the North, the latter
will be successful. The direction which the
election of Northern President, by North
ern votes will give to the party mind Of the
country will render this inevitable.
1t may be said that we are predicting the
Inauguration of sectionalism in the Govern
ment, to continue as long as the Union shall
remain in existence. On the contrary, we
are predicting the dawn of new and bet
ter nationalism. The experience of more
than three-fourths of century has failed to
develop any other subject of local concern
ment capable of giving origin to party di-
visions. Take away slavery, and there is to
this Union, politically, no North, no South,
no East and no West. We are all the same
people, and no law or measure of policy
which the Government shall adopt, that is
beneficial to one part, will not be so to all.
The effect of this will be to present TO the
South the alternative to withdraw from the
field of national politics all those questions
which have entered in the name of slavery,
Or.under pretense of danger about to ac-
crue to Southern institutions, or TO have
them decided according to the ideas which
the North happens to entertain. Claims of
especial protection to Southern rights will
meet no indulgence; claims of politicians to
especial consideration, on the score of the
peculiar character of the interests they rep
resent, will scarcely be recognized. There
will be no encouragement for the South to
agitate in respect to slavery; and as the in
itiatiVe of all preceding agitations have come
from that quarter, there is some ground to
hope that we shall see the last of them.
This will be no loss to the South; but
rather a gain. The severest blows
that have been dealt against slavery have
come from that quarter the worst weapons
for its destruction have been forged in South
ern arsenals, and if the slave tenure or the
safety of the peculiar institution" have evel
been put in jeopardy, it has been as the direct
consequence of their having been thrust by
Southern politicians into national politics,
where they do not belong. 1t is Southern
politicians who have dangerously tampered
with Southern interests; and by far the
greater share of the anti-slavery feeling in