The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1860-02-29

Washington, 10 his wise and patriotic de-
sire for the future good ofthe great republic
which be had founded, foresaw that diiical.
ties might arise. growing out of the diversity
Of interests Of the several States forming the
Union. He had little sympathy with SEQ.
tiOnal jeaiousies. and, in advance, has rebuk.
ed the very spirit which now agitates this
country.
Read the following extract from Irving's
Life of WashiSstOh, Svol. s, pages 65-66)
A letter from Washington's monitory fund,
Dr.. Stusrt Of Virginia, (dated Msrch 10Th,
l790,) spoke with alarm of the jealous be.
lief growing up in that quarter that the
Northern and Eastern States were combin.
ing to pursue their own exclusive interests.
Many, he observed, who had heretofore
been wsrm supporters of the government,
were changing their sentiments, from con.
viciiOn of the impracticahility Of union with
States whose interests were so dissimilar.
Washington had little sympathy with these
sectional Jealousies; and the noble language
in which he. rebnkes them, cannot be too
largely cited, 81 am sorry" observes he,
gaining ground and poisoning the minds Of
the Southern people but, admit the fact
which is alleged as the cause Of them, and
give it full scope, does it amount to more
than was known to every man OF information
before, at, and since the adoption of the
Constitution Was it not always believed
thSt there are some points which peculiarly
interest the Eastern States? And did any
one who reads human nature, and more es.
pccially the character OF the Eastern people,
conceive that they would not pursue them
steadily by a combination of their force B.
Are there not other points which equally
concern the Southern States If these
states are less tenacious of their interest, or
II, while the Eastern move in a solid phalanx
to effect their views, the Southern are al.
ways divided, which Of the two is most 10 be
blamed That there is a diversity of inter.
ests in the Union, none have denied. That
this is the case, also, in every State, is equal.
ly certain and that it even extends to the
counties of individual States can be as read
lily proved. Instance the Southern anc
Northern parts of Virginia, the upper ant
lower parts of South Caroline. Have no.
the interest Of these always been at var
ance? Witness the county of Fairfsx.-
Have not the interests Of the people Of that
county varied, or heinhabit bitants been taught
10 believe SO ! These are well known truths
and yet it did not follow that separation wa:
to result from the disagreement. s
To constitute dispute there. must Be two
parties. To understand it we'll, both parties
and all the circumstances must be fully
heard and, 10 accommodate differences
temper and mutual orbearance are requisite
Common danger brought the States into con
federacy, and on their union our safety anC
Importance depend. A spirit OF .accomn1o
daion was the basis of the present Consti
tuition. Can it be expected, then, that tht
Southern or Eastern parts of the empire vii
succeed in all their measures? Certainly
not. But | will readily grant that more
points will bs carried BY the latter than tht
former, and for the reason which has beer
mentioned, namely, that in ell great nation
al questions, they move in unison, whilst tlit
others are dVdet. 'Eut ask again, whict
is most blameworthy, those who see ant
will steadily pursue their interests, or thost
who cannot see, or seeing, will not act wise
ly! And will ask another question, of the
highest magnitude in my mind, to wit il tn,
Eastern and Northern States are dangereu;
in union, will they be less 50 in separation
If self interest is their governing principle
will it forsake them, or be restrained by suct
an event! | hardly think it would. Then
independently of other considerations, wha
would Virginia, and such other States al
might be inclined to join her, gain by sep
uration? Would they not, most unquestion
ablv, be the weaker partv 90