Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-01-03

We are not disposed to grant the probability Oh
such an event as immediate, but the poSsoiit3
should not be overlooked in any plans which the
people of the South may have in view. Nothing
would stimulate the culture into hg her degree oil
prosperity, soil and climate proving tavoraole
quicker than a continued depression oil business IN
this country and arrangement OF commerce oy
long continued political agitation"
In this connection it may be pertinent or'eny u"
refer-although the matter might well demand
serious diplomatic investigation at the instance oil
our goyernment-to the notable attestation OF the
foresight of the Constitutional Fathers of America
in their anxious and repeated cautions against tue
dangers of foreign influence, which is furnished oy
the origin, progress and impending consummatioh
of the secret schemes of the British cabinet 10 pro-
cure the disruption of the American Repuonc'.
Defeated in its endeavOr TO subvert our locrues III
the war of 1912, 1t has since proceeded upon tne
policy of fomenting sectional dlssenslons upon inc
slavery question, which, with its wontcd shreWu-
ness it perceived might be made potential element
of dscord and division between the slave-holaihs
and non-saveholdng States of this Cnon 1hs
policy has been steadily pursued, without the cesSa-
ton of a moment or the omission Of an effort Inc
increasing manufacturing importance OF the Norln'
and the consequent direct and formidable competi-
ton of that portion of the Union with their own
principal industrial interest, has given renewed
energy to their Vaccinations for the destruction Oh
that admirable alliance between Southern agrcul-
which the reyered Washington so impresSlvely
alludes in his immortal farewell address. Much as II
has been derded there immensely more truth than
poetry an exposition of this plot contained IN Inc re-
cent message ola Southern Governor. May God, IN His
good Providence, thwart the accomplishment OF a
scheme of so transcendent vainy, which, TO achieve
the poor purpose of pecuniary GAIN would gladly
witness the diSmemberment of a ;aighty empire and
make the whole world intdel forever hence, to the
inspiring faith Of Freedom!
am willing to accept the fine utterance of Louis
KoSsuth when he said, the INSTRUCTIVE FEELING
OF FREE PEOPLE IS WISER THAN THE wIsEST MAN.
The popular sentiment of America, South and
North alike, would have shuddered but few
months ago at the bare apprehension of impending
dissolution. Devotion to the Union has been hth-
erto a commonly received and uncontradicted maxim
of the public morals. \ vague. inGefinable hut
therefore the less intense, terror and despair
must fall upon every patriotic heart IN the contem
plation of that great calamity. When the frenzy
and passion of the moment shall have passed. and
when the demagogueS who are striving to pull down
the pillars of this fair and mighty fabric of civil
liberty shall have rrought their work. the voice OF
a betrayed and desperate people will cry out for
vengeance upon these instigators in the demolition
of the Union and the horrors of ruthless internal
war will complete catastrophe melancholy enough,
one would suppose, even with the poor boon of sue
ceedng peace.
stion and defence Of the present Federal Constitu-
ton, collected in The FederaliSt remarks the fact
that THE PEOPLE had been always strongly in favor
of the continuance of the Union; in which senti-
ment however, as often happens, THE POLITICIANS
did not entirely coincide. He says, Il per-
suaded in my own mind that the people have always
thought right the subject and that their univer-
sal and uniform attachment to the Union rests on
great and weighty reasons" DiSunOnIStS were not
scarce, at the time of the adoption Of the Con.
stituton some fayorng three or four ConfederacicS
some Northern and Southern Confedcracy and
others resolution Of the original confederation of
the colonies into thirteen separate and independent
States. But the masses of the people for
Union, and their alterations from that sentiment
have been but rare and partial and have only tran
silently prevailed Still as Alexander Hamilton de-
ciareS, "PowERFUL INDIVIDUALS enemies TO
! General National Government in every possible
shape"
If there is anything final in formal and deliberate
adudicatonS, the issue of dSunion ought to be no
longer an open question. In 1857 the whole matter
was argued in all It's relations, and with great abil
ty and ingenuity both Sides after which the pop
uar verdict was given in favor Of the pcrpctuatiOn
of the Union by the ratification of the Constitution
by all the States. y denomination of the argu-
ment is hardly necessary in this paper inasmuch
sources of abundant and minute information upon
all the points involved within the ready reach of
every one
Among the particulars which were discussed al
the period referred to, the Importance of the
Union as safeguard against foreign arms and in
trIgueS, as obvlatng dangers from wars between the
States and the effects of such wars in producing
standing armies and other institutions unavorahle
to liberty, and as afording security against domes
! tic faction and instruction. The utility Of Union
was also demonstrated in respect to commerce and
common navy, IN respect to procuring adequate
revenue TO deITay the expenses Of government and
NrIfh rafnr l,cf l.,
the South may hereafter find to the great question
OF economy in the cost Of administration.
On this subject Alexander Hamilton well saws,
tFedcraSt, pp 5}-5): If the States be united un-
der one government, there will hc but one national
civil list to support; if they are divided into several
conteGcraccs, there will he as many national civil
lists to be provided for; and each of them as to the
principal departments cOeXtCnSive with that which
would be necessary for government of the whole
When the dimensions of State attain
certain magnitude, it requires the same energy of
government and the same forms of administration
which arc requisite in one of much greater extent.
IT. in addition to the consideration of
plurality OF civil lists, take into view the number
OF persons who must necessarily be employed to
guard the inland communication between the differ
ent conlederacies against illicit trade and who in
time will lnfably spring up out of the necessities
OF reVenue and If we also take into view the mill
tary establishments which it has been shown would
unavoidably result from the jeaouses and conflicts
OF the several nations into which the States would
be divided, shall clearly discover that separa-
ton would be not less injurious to the economy than
to the tranquility, commerce. revenue and liberty of
every part"
The field opened by this one consideration Of
what it would cost to be governed under distinct
Southern Confederacy, is too wide to attempt to
traverse in single communication Its importance
will occur to every mind at all familiar with affairs
and it cannot be magnanmously disparaged by any
practical politician No inconsiderable part OF the
science of political economy consists in the proris
ion of methods of raising for the support of
government such shall answer the ends of economy
and convenience to the taxpayers. The collection
of revenue by imposs upon commerce, as it is conf
paratively invisible, and subjects the masses of the
community to no perceptible Inconvenience as do
the visits OF the taxcollector, has become the ap-
proved and generally adopted mode of replenisbinp