Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-03-18
TO CORRESPONDENT.


In contemplating ;he present condition OF the National
Government tse qu s,on presses itself upon the mind
osabt The State, OF North America to be otherwise than
uuf,is
TIL. au, iou formed the subject Of the most earnest
CON Iteration OF the pio; sres o. Ac Revolution after
t ..uea1ary conflict which resulted in the ackuOwl
eI.uant Of independence. Il was then generally con-
sI,rd that Uuioa was necessary for the peace and
hpaaess Of the people Of this country and that without
g.. s different States would be most likely brought into
collision With each other on diane .rcll interests growing
OF Of soil, climate, and pursuits.
So great thcu appeared the necessity for H. that
co1 was hoaora5y and freely yielded and ior5earaucc
usg1arimol>ly exercised for It's consummation Then
the southern states conceded the most. They agreed az
once FOR the purpose OF union and harmony that all Of
en-. territory Of she United States which then lay north
e. OF the river Ohio should be dedicated to freedom
forever Ic ,bi, they were governed by reason and
strong desire 10 frsternz, with their comrades and cour-
t-yHer Who had shared with them equally the peris
aud trss Of the Revolution. All then experienced alike
q due appreciation Of the iuestimabe prize Of Liberty
and Independence which, by perseverance and yalOr,
had been wresed cm the hands Of arbitrary power aud
% secure it, bad agreed to unite that like tabled
buri.e OF sticks, uni,edy they could be broken.
consideration. tue Union could not have been established
But they were 10: wiling throw away or to leave H.
secure sor poserty the great blessing Of PeaceulGbsr
which they bad dearly wou; aud to preserve IT, they
seemed an idea Of sectional or LEGAL advantages and in
AZ exalted spirit OF patriotism and deep devotion to the
cause of civil and religious freedom came together on
the basis Of justice and quality and united their destiny
90 one common lot.
TIE reasons in favor 90 aon then, were no stronger or
IRE Imperative than they uov We havcat th time,
thir.y-four States embracing al the different degrees of
latitude instead OF the thirteen originally composing tbs
Iaited States The variety Of interests has increased,
AMI given rise to d coldc. which requires adjustment,
u1. bv the exercise of arbitrary power by cue set e
..es against the res.-lor by sectional usurplt0n CO
che National GoytEmaDt-bg. 5y the spirit OF reason,
80 consultation us G., the most feasible and jas. plan by
tt,a ,he States NAV feuaa united and the interests OF
sl promoted.
discovered. then tb,se interests mus. necessarily
cl4, -..o direct conflict not merely OF one section
ss,iu,. ,he other, ba each STATE falling back upon its
c7a ps-aa. views Of STATE r'sy, would naturally enc
a.,,o-to guard i5 ova Interests against tae re, and
r..alI a,11es would naturally lead TO AAe auimo-i-
dies.
ia Union. oaly, IS 90 D, found peace and security In
OBI. ,vusu, Of ous E5,-.i tu; tina, union, 20 be p1l
t.. an e c.ca' mus. o. based upon and supported ty
lasl courtesy ard rssre-, and ay uei,y Of desire 20
us.ae..,,e 70. Those therefore, WHO refuse TO coCce3e
Cd. I a.l 90 adjust ami ,gsa.zs as nearly as possible
5, interests o. ai s,sto. oya,2 20 desire los Duoa,
.al ,r. false 90 %, sr.t Of liberty. To chem viii be-
.a- .a. barren honor of having p.e,i7atej the Nation
i..1 ..,i a,r and d,..-aei9a should such calamity