Smyrna times., 1862-10-30
Written for the " Smyrna Times. -
A PLEA FOR THE UNION.


ing:
Fellow citizens l lave taken INV pen in hand to
advocate the of our glorious Union; l say
our glorious Union, because it does belong to us
Americans. No matter what political name we call
ourselves by.--it is ours; but alas Tor the name
Americans, there American, whose avowed pur-
pose is to destroy the Union! But thank Heaven!
the vast majority of Americans are determined to
stop them in their mad career.
Every thinking and unprejudiccd man is convinced
that the Union Of these States advantageous to the
general good. How much proprioty in the Union!
Observe the ,natural connections existing between
the different parts OF the nation. In many places
there are only artificial lines between the States,
there being no seas, streams mountains. Now,
if these States were Independent and seperato ma
tOns, how unpleasant would it be for those persons
living along those artificial lines. Let those who
are knowing to the jcaloucGs naturally existing be-
tween nations, answer. Again, there are several
inland StOtcs now, if all these States were indcpen
dent and seperac nations could those States in the
interior prosper as much as they donow? The nav.
igatlon of some of the interior States may do for
States in the Union, but it would not we'll do for
nations. The streams of of the interior States
whose waters pass through other streams and finally
into the sea are navgable for bolts, but not for
ships; So, if those States nations they would
have to carry OH all their commerce by small vessels
---they could have no ships, at least, within their
own domlmons. Neither could they have large
naval vessels; and herein we sec where part of
their weakness would be. In this condition they
mt ho ntod I'D "A
at least among the great powers And here
IN we have reason. why men ought 10 ceave to
the Union rather than 10 State sovereignty. Those
interior nations in carrying trade with European
and other nations would be subject more or less to
dependence the American nations along the
coasts. And think you not that this dependence of
the interior States the coast States would subject
the former to an oppressive tax, winch they do not
have TO endure under the Union Then what
suffering among tho poor, what qlarrels among the
States, and, an inevitable consequence, what wars
and deselatons Consider the S.ascS in the interior
which might have access to the great by the
large rivers and lakes. Now, upon the supposllon
that the American Union were dissolved, and these
States were independent and seper4te nations, it is
| reasonable to suppose that many merchant and
passenger vessels and several nuvss would float on
those rivers and lakes. But is ii likely that in the
use of those channels leading TO and from tie great
seas no disputes would arise between those different
nations Another idea. wsuld the conversion Of
these States into as many independent aud sspcrate
nations be advantageous TO internal improvements,
such as railroads and canals Leaving this qaes-
tion, we observe that in this disunited condition.
while some internal affair may be desirable to some
OF the States. there may be State to which it may
not be desirable. In this case who knows but that
the former would force the thing in question upon
the latter? Talk about coerci0n-here it would be
with vengeance! Once more---it is obvious that
by having mere than government within the
United States the imports would be dearer account
Of the increased customs necessarily imposed to sup
port more than government. In view Of all these
undcniable facts, will you not stand up for the
Union, and make all necessary sacrifice for its pres.
ervatlOn Docs 1t appear that the conversion OF
these States into independent and seperate nations
would be promotve Of their wealth and happiness
Under the Union we have been prosperous people
and we have rapidly progressed in wealth, learning
power and influence. But, fellow citizens, there
arc men, and, am sorry 10 say, men who have been
born and raised under, and have been protected by
and owe for all they to glorious Union--- who
are endeavoring to destroy that Union! Their plea
was that the president elect q sectional man
but, if they were opposed 10 seetiOnalism why die
they have sectional candidate in the field; for sucl
was John c. Breekinridge7 No; they did not op
pose the MON because Abraham Lincoln
Ia;r
not of their faction They did not oppose the Union
on account of scctionaism; but they opposed it on
account of sc6shness. The Union was good enough
as long as it favored them but, when they thOugh
it endangered their interests, they wished to destroy
it. Most OF the Presidents Of the United States hav,
been natives of the South; but when these selfsl
men they were about losing power, they were
for overthrowng the Union, whether that Union
suited any other person not. Why did not the
North secede during the Southern reign? Fellow
citizens, sefshness is unfit for society. 1t not my
purpose, fellow citizens. to advocate now the cause
of Abolitionism; but it is undeniable fact tina
slavery is at the foundation of this rebellion. Th'
South wishes slavery Io exist, and she wishes it
tended. The quarrel chiefly about carrying
slavery into the territories. The North did no
want this, because she thought slavery was uriou
both to the land and the poor laborer. Now, i
slavery is ihus injurious, was not carrying it int
the territories the business Ofthe North as well Al
that of the South But waving this question
is slavery either to its extension or present bounds
of moro value than the Union? This does not i'm
ply either the question of fnegroequnlity or that o.
amalgamaton. Go into Southern city where ne
gro foremen are placed over white wsrkmen, if yo'
wish to see negro-equaty. Go into the South wher
white men keep negro cOncubinss, and where thel
reduce their own children to slavery and sell them
YOU wish to see amalgamation But to the question
is slavery of more value than the Unioa2 Th'
South has been jealous Of the prosperity of tn
North. The North has out-striped the South b]
her free labor, and by the fact that she teaches ne
children that lazness is disgrace, and work Is a.
honor. Then with the South well as with the North