Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-01-29
The Howl against New England--Com-
plant against her Considered.
ha Nar Xnr

The Howl against New England--Com-
piaint against her Considered.
From the New York Tines
The favorite idea now is to try the effect
of d combined howl against New England.
! The rebel leaders and their sympathizers
take their cue in this matter, as they have
in every other, from the Modification
chapter of 1880; and have fallen back
upon the same means then used, which
Mr. Webster, in his memorable reply to
| Hayne termed the new crusade against
New England" This would not be worth
minding, were it confined to Southern
traitors. But when party leaders at the
North, who still claim. to be loyal, Join in
it, it has significance, which must be
| needed.
The main complaints are two-.hat New
England has an undue share of political
power in the Federal Senate. and that it is
the hot-bed OF radicaiism and intolerance.
Now, first, it is rot true that the six
| New England States have been especially
favored in Senatorial representation. True
they are small in territorial area, but they
average much larger population than the
eleven Confederate States By the census
of 1860, the combined white population
vi Vic w DIS O,l1U,OSZ, averaging
51S, AS to each State; while the combiu-
ed white population of the latter, includ-
ing Virginia undivided, was 4 ,44S,463, av-
veraging only 400, 496 to each State. Yet
the former had twelve Senators at Wash
ington, the latter twenty-five Rhode Is
land, the smallest of the New England
States, in population. showed more than
twice the white population of Florida;
" H., n
than South Carolina; and Massachusetts,
| the lHrgest, showed 10000 more
than Virginia, the largest Southern
State, and $4,000 more than Mississip-
pi, Louisiana and Texas combined In the
face OF such figures, the pretence by
Southern meB, and Southern sympathizers,
that New England has az undue advan-
tage Ia the Senate, Is the extreme OF impu-
dence. New England actually sustans as
much disadvantage, relatively to the
Southern States, from the State equality
representation in the Senate, as from the
three-fifths slave representation in the
House and Electoral College.
The otner charge that New England is
peculiarly radical and intolerant-can
have no meaning except as referring to
slavery. Irrespective of that, it can be
easily shown that no part of the country
is more conservative Or more liberal Its
State Constitutions have been changed
less from the old models than any others
in the North-and to this day remain free
from the most radical of all innovations, a
popularity elected Judiciary. The legisla-
ton of its various States, touching finance,
corporations, the relations OF creditor and
debtor, the domestic relations, popular
education, and all the great civil and social
concerns, has been, to say the least, as
cautious and as soundly based, in the
main, as the legislation of any States of
the Union. Reputation was never even
so much as whispered in New England
Fillibusterism never got there moments
serious hearing. young America the
base.born offspring Of the degenerate
days of the Republic, received its breath
and lived its life elsewhere. In its rela-
ton to the Western States, New England
has always manifested the most enlarged
and liberal spirit; both in legislation, by
supporting their internal Improvement
, measures and their pre- emption and home.
! stead bills, and in private appropriations
and contributions for their academies, col
E leges and churches. To the Federal Gov
eminent, no part of the country has ex-
hibited greater loyalty. In fact it has
gone into history that none answered the
first call of the President with such
promptness, and none has more completely
come up to the mark in every subsequent
requlstion. Nowhere has there been less
faction nowhere purer and more whole
souled devotion.
AS regards Slavery, New England IN
doubtedly has been less tolerant towards
the institution than any other part of the
country. She has discussed its character
and tendencies with an earnestness no.
where else displayed. If Slavery has snf-
tered from this, it speaks but very poorly
for Slavery ; for it is only the false and
the evil that discussion can damage. But
even if New England had erred in this re-
spect, the present would be the last time
in the world to denounce her for it. when
the Republic is engaged in putting down
the most hldeoOs and wicked rebellion the
earth ever saw, which this same Slavery
has engendered. The worst that New
England ever said against the institution
does not come up to tie enormity of the
crime it has actually committed. When
Slavery succeeds in purgirg itself from all
responsibility for this rebellion, then, and
not until then. may New England be held
to answer for her hate.
THEN AND Now.-The suffering OF the
people of New England from Jeffarson's
obstruction of her commerce and fisheries
by bis embargoes and non-importation
acts, which afforded him double satisfac-
ton from the slight Inconvenience they
caused England and the heavy injury to
the prosperity OF New England, elected
indignant derunciations of this suicidal
policy from her People, which the Amin
istration party retaiated upon by accusing
them of State Rights and Secession ten
denotes. Such was the midness of party
ity in our Republic.
On the election of Madison the Virginia
electors who had voted for him dned TO-.
gether in company with other distinguish
ed citiz9ns. Among the regular toasts
was the following: "7he Union of the
States. The majority must gouern. IT is
treason to secede" Spencer Roane pre-
sided, and Robert Taylor was Vice Presi-
dent. There were present Gov. Cabell,
Hugh Nelson. J. Peytcn Randolph, John
Preston, Thomas Richie, and other prom
inent Virgniars. By comparing this with
the Virginia resolutions of '98, and with
her course since. the fast.and-Ioose Union.
ism of Virginia Democracy is fairly illus.
trated. From the beginning of Washing.
tons administration the Virginia Democ.
racy have rever been in the minority
without striving TO break up the Govern
ment; but when in possession of the Gov.
eminent, Inc honest advocates of strong