The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-05
DISMEMBERMENT OF REBEL VIRGINIA.
The Old Dominion to be Cut Up and Par
titiOned Among Loyal States.
Virginia to Suffer the Same
Destiny as Poland.
Description Of the Regions Proposed to DO
Divided Up,
&C., Sc, Ncs
DISMLMBEHMENT OF REBEL VIRGINIA.

In tho report OF the Secretary of War, tho following
striking novel npd hishly important proposition is
made -
The geographical position Of tho metropolis II the
nation, neanced by tho rebels, and required TO be de-
fend by thousands of troops induces W suggest
for consideration he proprety ard expedency OF recon-
structon a the boundaries OF ths States OF Dcawa
ryland and Vig mia. Wisdom and true statesinan hip
would dictate ihit tie seat of the national governne.t
for all time to come should be placed beyond reasonable
danger Of seizure by enemies within well as from cap
lure by foes from without Iy agreement between tho
States named, sch Effected, for similar purposes,
by Michigan and Ohio, and by Missouri and Iowa, their
boundaries could be SO changed to render the capital
more remote than at present from tho influence Of
Stle governments which have arrayed themselves
IN reheon aga nst the federal authority To this end,
the limits Of Virginia might be so altered as TO make her
boun aries consist of the Bne Ridge on the cast and
pcnnsy vana tho north, leaving those on tho south
anil present. By this arrangement two coun
ties Of Ma yland (Acshany and WasLington) would be
transferred theiurisdicton Of Virginia. All that por
ton OF Virginia which lies between tho Blue Ridge and
Chcsap Bay could then BE- added to Maryland, while
that portion OF tho peninsula between tho waters Of the
Chesapeake and tho Atlantic, Jointly hold by Mary
land and Virginia. could be Incorporated into the State Of
Delaware A reference 10 the map will show that these
are great uatura boundaries which, for ali time come,
would to mark tho limits Of these states. To make
the protection OF the capital complete in consideration Of
the large accession OF territory which Maryland would
receive nnder tho arrangement proposed It would be no.
cessary that that state should consent TO modify her
constitution as TO nt the
her white population.
reference to a map OF tho United States viii show
that this proposition amounts to neither nero less
than the wpng out Of the rebel State of Virginia. and
tho parceng out Of its territory among tho loyal States
of Kanawha western Virginia. Mary ad aud Delaware
TIE map Of tho region IN question, icA we publish TO-
day will enable readers to h MT glance Tho
Blue dgc Is to be the eastern boundary Of the state
It is now The boundary OF kanawha, and the
Maryland counties Of Allegheny and Washington, now
lying between Pennsylvania and Virginia, be
ed IN he tO
20 the Pennsylvania line. But large recompense TO
a1ya. for :s:. eesscn ol territory, that State is to
have its territory extended westward tnroc..
Eastern Virginia till it meets the BIre Ridge,
which Is proposed as its western boundary. This
will enlarge Maryland into great and populous State,
which will include Norfolk, Fredericksburg, Petersburg
Richmond and all the tobacco growing and slave raising
region Delaware ia also TO come in for share Of the
rebel State and is have the two pcninsuar counties OF
Accouaac formerly wiscs shrc) and Northampton now
IN Possession Of troops and maniestng loyalty to the
federal government
Tdc portion Of Virginia thus proposed to bo coded to
Maryland Is known in tho local geographical distinctions
An the state as the Tdewaer district aud the Piedmont
district Tho former contains thirty counties bor
derng on the Atlantic and Chesapeake Eay and the
aer thirtytwo counties. The tide water lands repre-
sentcd by that venerable rebel, Edruond Rufi'n in
IN address which he delivered some years ago, to
hayc creased in vauc SIT 900 oo0 in twelve years.
by the wcalthss portion Of the State producing
tho great bulk Of tho tobacco CROP which Is vrginas
principal staple. The chief manufactures Of the State are
comprised within this region.
The counties Of Accornac and Northampton form the
southern portion Of the peninsula lying between
Chesap axe Bay and the Atantc OF which the northern
counties constitute the State Of Delaware They belong
geographically to that State and fer that reason if there
wcrc other, hey should be annexed TO it. They
tain together, 1s, 600 Inhabitants and prin
cipslly valuable for their fisheries.
On the other hand Allegheny and Washington counties,
which are sandwched ia between the northern
bouuds.y Of Virginia ard the southern boundary Of Penn
syvanie, belong geographically to Virginia The former
has area Of 200 slaaro miles. It's length
sixty five mics. its brcadh varying from seven TO thr-
tysvc miles. 1t is principally adapted to grazing and
dairy farms; but it has great mineral wealth ia til ceie
bratcd Cumberland coal mines Its population is about
$4,000, nc!ang coo slaves. washhgton IS great
wheat growing county, having Of eboGt 4so
square miles. It's annual product OF wheat averages
about million bushels. Its principal minerals iron
and limestone Tlcrc several cotton factories located
Is population is 81 ooC OF which
over 2,oc0 are slaves
Mr. Caincroa IN presenting this proposition 10 Congress-
simply puts upon the ground of proprety and exec
dency 10 suggests that this reconstruction OF State
lines VIII Whl@raW from ietes5 clIita tDe influence
of state governments which aye arraycd themselves ii
rebellion against the federal authority. And hs adds as
additional aason that ho srs proposed form gree,
national boundaries which, for Sl tno come would
to mark the limits OF hese States. The motive
which has iE6pced tho Recommendation, and which viii
commend il 70 the approval Of the whot country
not even bn:ed at 1t is keft scdulously OF siah
Why, we cannot say. Tho socratsry should
have streng .nened the MS assigned with this
one whieh no has not assigned, but which ID
pevcrtheless tho all powerful onc--naa,sy, that q
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF the rebc Sa e Virginia. AMI par
ttoning OF her territory nmoug states that hsve remain
ed loyal to,is government is the most effective appro
pirate and memorable punssent that be inflicted
upon her. 5s1hess to her fe ora dutias, sardess
the mc;noriss sf her great rra false To her
ihc National interests she er lot with those wild
reckless fan.t3cal vsouarcs of the cotton gates and
made her SOL tie battle ground between civilization and
barbarian 1ayng done 50, so deserves sort Of
mseratian. Tie punsNent that can.bo inflicted
her Is st! !er mid fof her crimes vet that
which Is suggested il the report tho Secretary Of
War Is ot. tbs OF all oe7s that viii naost humble
the pride III her SUES and that will to al fgture
ages bcac9a light, ots- States of tho rocks ca
which she split.
There constitutional dcs tiles in the yyay or dis
menberng ard parl tioning ststes The aot must be
acceded to dy The gates med well as by q
federal congress. l3l cameron r0cuVEiG
d is still secs now it be without violating tie
CO Institution. lie add ices precaSents in the cases OF
Nk hgan ao Missa lri and low whore State boun
dar les changed by nutual agro ment and a sag.
rest hat the saaae can +, done Lse. And /. can
1he state Ct Eanawha will readily giyc lis ascent,
recei, ing, vii, the counties Of Maryland and
washL gton, LGing its STATE existence rccOgDaod
and est abhed by general government. II may eya
assume the appailaMop3s the parent State, that tho
once hon ored q. Virginia, the retiicr Of states
men ana Of Presidents, may n.t be e1-ced from the
nntiona. .sscuscheon.
II is NOT 10 be supposed ,at either Mary .aud Dcla.
ware viii hltcrpose objections to the prope sonthc
CORNER receng such large accession OF rich and popu-
ious esrory, and little Delaware beng also enlarged
into something hkc respectable size. The only condi-
ton precedent win Mr. Cameron seeks to Lave imposed
upon Ma ylana Is that In exchange for ths boon aha
should consent 10 mo'fy her constitution 20 t
the basis Of her representation to har whlte population
IN other words sbe nugs forego her cla to sve her
slave population rated slAa three lths That IS
sslght aoncs-aon TO asks .conccsspa plcb, u net