Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1861-04-11
Fruits OF sectionaIism--Arnny nnI
Navy ResIgmRtIons.
IFrOm tho n. Y. c0mnl.lFcial Advertiser

. leAStA AAAu ~ n SOullueECInl AuEerttSeE,I
a great deal has been said of late about
seciiOnnliSm, Geographical parties, &c-
But what makes party improperly sec
uonal or geographical? Certainly not the
mere fact that it has more adhercnts in
one section of the country than another.
or both the Democratic and the RennbIi.
can parties would be sectional, since their
numerical strength is respectively in tic
slave and free States. But a.political.Dar-
ty lis Justly censurable as sectional when IL
employs the power derived from the whole
people mainly for tho benefit or enricb-
ment OF the people of n geographical sec
ton. "A President Is not necessarily sec
tional because he is a citizen of virginia
or New York, for no man has vet been
found tor that office whose house was
equally divided between Mason and Dixon's
line; neither is he necessarily sectional
hecause hr was elected mainly by tue Nor
thern or Southern votes, for the moment
he Is inOugGrated he is surrendered to the
service of the whole people. But the
Presidentis sectional who surrounds him
sell and fills almost all his offices of honor
or emolument with citizens of one section,
or even gives them decided preference.
Measured by this standard we affirm that
the last three Democratic Presidents have
been sectional to most tcuIpable DECREE
and that the country is now largely reab-
ing the bitter fruit of their partiality. And
one ofsthe btttere4t of these fruits ia found
in the consequence of having the army
and navy so largely oificered from the
Southern section OF the courtry. The sub-
jectis an unpleasant one to write about.
but tue public veal, now and hereafter
demands that 1t be candidIy discussed
Much of the present evil has been brought
upon the country by the unflithfulaess to
their oaths, the lack of honor, on the part
OF naval and military officers, residents of
Southern states. The conduct of many of
these, we say it with unfeigned regret and
sorrow, has been disgRcefuI in the high
est degree, not alone professionally, but as
men. The surrender Of their commands
and OF the property entrusted to their keep
ing, to the insurgents, their full and open
cooperation with Them, sometimes even
before their rcsigntttons were penued, and.
IN almost All cases before the Ink was dry
with which they Ncre written, and the
manner and time of such resignations are,
fortunately, without parallel in our his
tory or In thIt of any other country
Sinst cheeEfully do we bear testimony
that many gallantssons of the South, have
remained true TO their country and It's flag,
and the day will come when the lnstre of
their example will be allthe brighter for
the contrast with the ingratitude and dis
honor OF their late associates Nor would
We severely censure any man who, un-
willing 20 raise his sword or point his gun
against friends and relatives, sent in a
timely resignation. and was faithful to his
trust until the government eonld couye-
niently release him from his duties. Bnt
no such honorable course has been pur-
sued by the naval and military officers of
whom We speak. They have. alike, With
out any intention of doing their duty when
called upon, or anY,intimnIion that they
would not do it, retained their commissions
nptiis-ths last upmeat, and then when