Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-07-16
Disunion, North and south.

There never has been time since the origin
OF our Federal Union, in which there have not
been ambitious and designing men plotting its
overthrow. There was no lack Of tories at the
beginning and during the Revolution, who were
opposed to the union Of the colonies for mutual
protection and defense, and especially, to their
union for the assertion and maintenance Of
their independence. There were bitter oppo-
nents of the Union under the old Articles Of
Confederation, and still bitterer opponents of
the "more perfect Union" established by the
Federal Constitution. From 1883 to the pres
ent moment there has not been day or an
hour when disappointed and ambitious men have
not been at work for the dissolution of the
Union.
These dsunionists have not confined their
operations to any one section. Before the
breaking out of the present rebellion, 1t would
perhaps have been difficult for the most .acute
and impartial observer to determine whether
they had been more active and mischievous In
the South or in the North. There have been
existing almost from the frat settlement of the
c,untry certain old prejudices and grudges be-
tween the sections, owing to a difference in eli
mate, productions, pursuits, personal character
istics and other causes. II has been the aim
of factious leaders to revive from time to time
these old prejudices, and as the progress OF
events afforded them opportunity, to add new
grounds of sectional complaint and dissatisfac-
tion. Growing bolder as they found among the
plain and unsophisticated people listeners and
adherents to their seditious and disunion senti-
ments, they did not hesitate to proclaim that
the two sections could never live in harmony
and peace in one COnfederacy or Union. 81
The disunionists, North and South, have been
active and persistent In their eforts, and have
both contributed TO the one result-the present
rebellion or attempt to sever BY force one por--
ton Of the Union from the other. Looking over
the history of other governments, or even con-
fning ourselves to our own political history, IL
will not appear strange that such an event has
happened. There are never wanting causes for
sectional strife and animosity, and where these
are continually stirred up for series of years
by bold and uuprincipled leaders, in both sec.
tions, and the minds Of the people kept excited
and infsmed, rebellion against the Govern
ment 10 natural and inevitable result. If it
does not begin in one section, 1t will in the 9th
er. The only difference likely to be manifested
is, that the people Of the section the more i'm,
pulsive and more easily reused to action, will be
apt to lead off in revolutionary movement.
The South has led off in rebellion which
has been fostered and encouraged at the North
as well as In that section. The disunionists in
both sections are loud In their demands that the
civil war which has taken place In consequence,
shall not be ended until the dissolution Of the
Union is final and complete. This was their
darling and sole object from the beginning. and
now that they have succeeded at last in embroil-
ng the people in destructive, fratricidal war,
they are determined that II shall not be termi-
mated until their scheme for the dismemberment
of the Union Is fully contaminated. All over
lures for peace and all propositions for return
to the old harmony under the Federal Constitu-
tion, will be rejected and secuted at by the dis.
unionists on both sides. Nothing will satisfy
either but a division of the Union. 4m,s +
Several times in our past history has our below
ed Union been brought to the verge of civil war
from similar causes. Heretofore Ii has been
saved by the strenuous and united efforts Of true
Democratic and Union men, North and South.
The same efforts by the same men Immediately,
elrnestly and vigorously put forth, can save Ii
now. Without these Efforts. the disunionists
will manage matters 10 both sections to their
own liking, and to the destruction of free gov
ernment in this country, and the blasting of the
hopes of its friends throughout the world.