Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1864-02-15
HRCOHsFITUTIOR-sTATR RIGATS.
RICHMOND WHIG.
mONDA1 MORNING., FEB. is, lssA. +
Our Policy Towards the Northwestern States.

Our Policy Towards the Northwestern states
Nothing is of greater Importance to the Yankees than
be trade relations that will remain, at the end oil the
war between the Confederate Stats aud those OF the
Northwest including the right Of way along the Aisss7
s;nn The Yankees doubtless, hope TO effect such ar
rapgements as will preserve the integrity Of the rump
rapubo BY securing TO these States free intercourse
with the profitable markets along that river. Such
an advantage can alone reconcile the Northwestern
States to continued association with their Yankee
brethren of the East and prevent further dsntegra-
on.
The policy Of the South, of course, will be, to nur-
,ure dsaeeon aud weaken the bond Of Interest which
will be their only igamenL The creation OF
well adjusted balance Of power between the seotos Oh
tbs late Union should be on important consideration
with the South. It Is measure OF fatety which enc
should By no means overlook for on The adjustment oil
proper territorial allotment El very much depend the
future security Of our slave institution. The oonsam
nation Of this object Is fully within our power, II We
but iudicously employ the means at our command.
Any concession to the Northwestern States in the mat
Ter of the free right of way along the Mississippi snd
tariff charges will but strengthen the bonds OF union
COW existing between those States and the North The
cohesive force of identity Of institutions will secure the
integrity of the free States east Of the Rocky Mountains
if no trAmme is put upon the freedom OF intercourse
th Southern mark cts enjoyed under the late regime.
loasmuch however, as Interest oVerrides mere political
considerations alienation Of at least portions Of the
Northwestern States from the North will be inevita-
DE result Of refusal on our part to admit them to any
privileges other than they may be entitled TO 10 common
with other friendly powers persistent adherence to
this policy would inevitably involve State disintegnton.
The portions of the Northwestern S:ates lying along
the Mississippi and Ohio rivers, whose interests are
adssouby connected with tho free navigation OF these
rivers ami especially of the lower Mississippi, would not
hesitate TO cut loose from ths Northern sections OF
.hoe States whose trade fgds its natural outlet east
ward, and seek from US easy terms Of intercourse.
To yield any advantages in this connection to the
Yankee government would be to part with an effective
guarantee against Northern peponderance in the future
union between tie Northwest and East would be in
eongruous upon every principle of commercial interest,"
and reciprocal benefits Community Of production is
%, an element Of eohesveness, but the contrary. Au
ualy OF in crest Is subserVed By variety of produe
ion and intimate intercourse in trade Between US
aud tie Northwestern States, reciprocity OF interest,"
.ni the mutual Leeds which climatic Influences ocea-
-ou. They aie, however, more dependent on US than
20 on them. We have, in fact no motive of necessity
20 urge Us ma ke any concessions to them foe We
.eadily procure from Europe all We need in the way
OF supplies They need productions, while free
outlet for their surplus yield ia almost indispensable to
heir very existence. The North has need for thIm
aud the cost of transportation by the available routes
that direction, would make agriculture in the North
vest IrO6lsss Occu patton.
We have thus the lever Of disintegrstion in the rump
Republic 10 hands, and We should take 10 ue
tjudeiOusy. II We make any concessions, while the
lugrity Of the Free States preserved will be de-
ereeing the perpetuity Of that unior If withheld
them disintegratOn will be inevitable Let the Northwest
cru States understand that they to receive vors
At our hands long they remain integral parts Of
fraternity whose existence a whole is noompa!-
IDLE with the future ssety and WCllbeiDg Of pecu.
lar institution, rather, whose dsntegrSon ia qua
ranee OF safety to it, and they will soon change their
relations TO the Northern Yankees. Moreover we owe
no,hing to the Northwest; and they cannot be unrea
enable enough TO expect from any favor that dOeG
not strictly comPOrt with future interest. They
nave fought for subjugaon with zeal and energy
transcending even that Of the barbarians north Of
US. The ssveTesI blows dealt to Us were given by
them and the motive should certainly be very strong
-oveTpoWering, in fsct-ihat would induce US 10 ad-
init them terms of commercial intercourse with US
They have as we are now assured exhausted the agency
Of force in the vain attempt to e1ae! fom whAtth
80 much yearned for They will when the propertime
Gomez resort to the art Of diplomacy and in that they
N al hora n
wiling Difference to what We shall demand require
nents OF national safety and future peace.
The inherent power of sefpro.ection prcvidenlialy
vCuchsafed TO US well in virtue of intrinsic ply
ca capacity, the advantages of geographical posi-
uon and the peculiar character OF productions, s
sonderiu. The influence of these happy combinations
Is no less potent abroad than at home They consti-
ute effective of defence in the very nGcsfsity
which they join for peaceful relations with us as an
Indispensable condition of receiving the benefits which
they present We can justly claim Independence in
OVery relation, civil social religious, political and COM
merciA while civilized nation can claim Independence
Of u.s. The blockade Of the enemy has tested in vain
our capacity 70 maintain this attitude. We we're taken
At serious disadvantage in the circumstance of our al
mnst total want of manufacturing facilities yet We
stood the test and dehed the power oil our nhumHn
The experience Of this will serve as well in the u-
ure should any Warlike emergency arise Our inherent
power in this essential will be found In such event
fully oOnfOrmable to physical capacity. We need
have ApprehensiOns Of danger from internal sources
it We but employ to advantage the great lever of
disintsgrat.On which We possess. We made liberal
prOes to the Northwestern Slatss bat they were not
accepted We deem il PrOvidentiAl that they we're not
Had they been. We shoad have been stripped Of the
most powerful weapon that people could hold to weak
On jealous and dangerous neighbor and strengthen
Ourselvss The indispensable need the part OF the
North Eessrn States Of the boon which possess will
be sought at any price, Let that price be dsntegra-
ton and perfect guarantee against any interference