Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1860-01-05
States Rights North and South.


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States Rights North and South.
Il 10 curious 10 note tho difference between tn
Norshsra end Soathsra States in respect of thei
views Of State Sovereignty. The people Of tn
former seem 70 have no conception of any allegi
ance they owe 10 the Government CT the States in
which they live. Tho idea Of State Sovereignty
is an incomprshensible abstraction to them, which
they neither understand nor seem TO care to in.
vestigate.
The resent debates in Congress afford notable
illustration Of this. Southern members have pro-
tested their devotion 10 the Unon IS long IS their
States are members Of it, bot no longer. As soon
as their respective States repuda,o the Union,
they, the members, unite in the movement. Their
course 10 determined, entirely, by the action of
their States-for it is to them they owe their first
and chief allegiance.
On the other hand Northern members avow
their loyalty TO the Union. above everything else
A Democratic Representative from Wisconsin, a
few days ago, in . speech in the House Of Repre-
sentatives, declared that he for the Union first
his State next. Rebukng Southern members
who had threatened secession he affirmed that tho
majesty of tho Union was wha. claimed his
first allegiance and recognition. This is Federal
doctrine--Federalism of tho very highest order
But we did not see that any Of his party confedo-
rates from the South were at all shocked by the
declaration that the avowal Of such sentiments
at all impaired the good standing Of tho member
in the great and glorious Democratic organiza-
ton.
These conflicting and antagonistic views are not
difficult of explanation. Meu may say what they
choosc--but il 10 updeniablc that their opinions
arc nearly always insensibly affected by their in
tercsts Such opinions are honestly entertained
but. in many cases, the very reverse would be
held il people wore entirely free from every innu-
cnce OF personal advantage.
The Federal Union is Of incstinablc value to
the Northern States. !, IL, indeed. pearl of
great price. Particularly to the Northeastern
States and Territories, it is at oncea protecting
shield and narsirg mother. Tho bounlics Of
the Federal Government flow through tho whole
region, and benefit every class Of society. Know
ing this we'll tl.cy conceive an attachment to
the parent of their prosperity which is entirely |
consistent with reason. The Federal gold which, I
through so M my different avenaes pcrmea'es tho
whole Northwestern and Western region, has
more to do with the attachment of these people
10 the Union than any abstract sentiment Of vcnc-
ration for the work of our fathers. This may
seem an ungencrous and an uncharitable judgment,
but We believe it u lie trne.
On the other hand, tho Northeastern section of
the Confedcracy feels and appreciates the pro;ec-
ton which the Union gives its people. while they
pursue their lucrative avocations of commerce and
manufacture. Under the folds of the National
flag they feel secure in their ability to monoro-
lise, to q very great extent, the commercial and
manufacturing interests of the countiy-and they
contemplate dissolution with honor, because the
South, in such IN event. having the vantage
ground Of producing nearly all our exports. could
impose such restrictions upon the trade OF tho
North as would effectually cripple and destroy it.
The South 80 far ms her material interests are
concerned, would lose nothing by disunion, On
The contrary we honestly believe that. in this
pect alone, she would be benefited by it. We do
not mention this m argument in favor of disu-
MON for we opposed to such step as long
as there is remnant Of probability that the PEG
pie the country may 1.-Two together in peace and
harmony. 1t is in the power Of the South to Sc
cure, in The Union all the commercial advantages
that she would enjoy out of it. 1t only remains
for her 40 to will it,and she not only preserve
the Union from destruction but guaranty her own
perpetual advancement in oil the clements Of
wealth and happiness.
The South, then, cherishes the doctrine of State
Rights and State Sovereignty as we'll because her
own safety requires that she adhere to the origi-
nal spirit and compact af the Constitution, MS be-
cause she does not sensibly feel the material bene-
fits Of the Federal Union. For opposite reasons
the North holds opposite sentiments, But nm en-
tire agreement and community Of sentiment may
be secured on this subject by the proper course
OF action on the part ofthe South Let her attain
to entire commercial independence Of the North,
and it will be lever wherewi,h she can control
political events precisely as che may wish.