The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1864-05-04
Sectional Agitation and Abolition
War Policies.

The great secret of American success
and prosperity is owing to the regard that
this government has paid to the rights of
all, and also TO the fraternal feelings that
have existed between the people in the
various parts of tho Union. Hitherto it
has been her pride that her citizens had
n common interest in the protection and
delences of the constitution of the United
States. That was the object Of all and
was supreme in the affections of the peo-
pie. But at this time, how changed the
whole aspect of the nation, which, more
than to any other cause, is chargeablc TO
the rejection of the sage counscls and ad-
vice-of the truths that our fathers gave
to tile nation in the glorious beginning
Of American independence, and the early
stages of tho growth of the republic.
The advice and warnings that have
come down from former generation of
the necessity for tho cultivation of all
those virtues and charities that receive
success in great enterprises, and for the
cultivation Of friendly feelings between
all parts of the Union, in the confusion
of political strife and the desires for great
gains have been UNDECIDED.
Whether slavery should go up or
down, has ongrossed the minds of men.
Respectively, the North has declared in
opposition thereto, and the South in its
favor Exciting political campaigns first
came where slavery had not left its blight.
Other movements Of like character in tho
South were instituted that looked TO its
defense and protection. Enlargement
between both sections of the Union thus
crept in to mar tho peace and welfare of
the nation. And nothing has been sub
served thereby. No principles have been
rescued, the violation Of which Imperfect
the existing form of government. Rath-
or tho course pursued was ut war with
tho spirit of our institutions; at war with
the principles that tho war of tho rcvolu-
ton was waged in defense of, and by
which they were successfully maintained.
This organized sectionalism, of both the
North and South, contended for the VIC
lation of the right Of political organized
communities to determine for themselves
the nature of their sttutions-violated
this fundamental consideration, blythe Or
ganization Of parties that looks to the ex-
clusion of slavery on the ono hand, and
on the other to its establishment. Then,
of necessity, they eliminated and recrimi-
mated upon each other And, logically,
the state of things that we behold in the
land has followed, while, had suitable
regard been paid to the farewell words of
Washington and Jackson, tho mad storm
of war would not now be desolatine the
land. Had not unloly political ambition
existed, that could not be gratfed with
out the power of party to cnthronc in its
wished for seats, then all had been we'll
Had that love of our government, that
would not imperil its interests for person
al and party emulation, had firm an
choragc in all minds and hearts, no dar-
ING usurper could have swayed the South
into n reasonable aud forciable revolu-
ton.
The results that the engondering of
sectional strife has produced in the land,
should have warned the country against
the commitment Of similar errors in the
war for the restoration Of the Union. But
apparently the country has learned no les
son Of wisdom, in this respect, from its
former experience. Committed to war
forced upon it by necessity, for the pro-
lection Of the government, by the mstak-
en- policy Of the administration, il is now
sweeping before it che whole people Of
the South into position Of antagonism !
20 the government. 1t is harshly sever !