The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1866-01-18

In dealing with the question OF the
return of the rebellious states to their
former standing in the Union, it is
hard for Vi 10 keep in mind that the
South that was no longer exists.
Before the war the South compre-
hended Delaware, Maryland, Missouri,
Kentucky, and all the states lying
beyond them in the direction of
the Gulf Of Mexico. These states
made up, in our politics, one com
pact body. A single question, in
which they had, or fancied they had, a
common interest OvershadOwed with
them sll other political questions; aud
in the southern states, so called, there
IVES as to this bat one party. Their so
ciAl interests in the question varied IN
degree; but whether the slaves
few or many, every state in which sle-
very existed at all arrayed itself with
the political faction long known to rs
as the South
The question OF how far the Constitu-
ton recognised or tolerated slavery has
disappeared from our politics forever
and with it the old South has also dis
appeared Delaware and Maryland,
never southern states in geographical
position, are no longer in any ems
southern states. Kentucky, Missouri,
and even Tennessee, have become part
of the great West Arkansas, in its
condition and its interests. is as much
western as southern. Texas, the south
ernmost OF all, has so small a negro
population within its immense ares
that it has none OF the future social
evils looming up before its eyes which
disturb the visions of men in the other
Gulf states. Texas will not long keep
up her sympathy with what W. former
ly meant when, in politics, we spoke OF
the South. Even Virginia and North
Carolina do not appear TO be much
troubled about their black men
The South, in the old sense, IS re-
duced to South Carolina, Georgia, Ala
bama, Mississippi and Louisiana These
five States having, all of them, a very
large black population, may show a
general consent in their domestic legis-
lation, and may for awhile combine to
act rs D body in our national coun-
ellis and our national politics. is II
worth while for She other States, who
outnumber them skiold, to vex them
selves with fears OF mischief from so
limited 8 combination The combine
ton which these five ststes could get
up would be 50 small and feeble that
they may not think il worth while to
combine at all. As q separate and for
midable element in our politics, the
South is extinct
Hereafter the same DIVISIONS Of po
litieal opinion which viii separate The
Northern people into parties, will also
separate the Southern people, in their
several States. Just ae party divisions
are necessary here TO enable US 10 gov
ern the State Of New York well, so
must similar divisions arise IN oil the
Southern States, even IN South Carroll
ma When the old Republican and
Federal parties were cOntending for
the control of the country, there were
Republicsns in every State and FEEDER
alists in every State In the times of
jackson and Clay, tho Wing and Dem
| ocrstic parties stretched their respect-
i've organizations into every State Of
the Union. When finance, or the tar
iHI or any question addressed to the di-
verse sentiment eyisting among US, IS
10 the powers and duties Of govern
I ment comes up in our politics, We shall
find men defending opposite opinions
on every poiRt IS warmly in Louisiana
IS in New York
For the future the topics which par
! ties are to discuss must be questions of
poIitical pgiaciple that will interest all
uarts Of the country IN the same degree
Parties can no longer divide rs by n
geographical line. The prevailing form
and industry in different sections may
incline the majority in this or that cor
ner of the country 10 take ground, from
time 10 time, according 10 theI snppos-
cd interests, upon any topic which may
arise ia our political discussions But
the questions themselves will be com
| paratiyely ephemerAL They will be
! fought ont aud settled after = few years
have been devoted 80 each one OF them
Unlike slavery, they viii not last ont a
discussion of three-Quartem OF 3 cen
fury. cur opposing parties will here
after have their forces scattered into rs
many separate camps ~ there are
State in the Union In the future,
therefore, va have no reason 10 dcead
the getting up OF POLITICAL com6inaiions
so compact and formidable % that which
we formerly knew under the name of
the South.
Are not those Of our public men who
spprehend great mischief from letting
IN the Southern representatives per
hitting themselves 20 be neediessly
frightened, not by their old enemy, the
living South, great in body and mighty
in its compact and harmonious ana
strong'willed orgAniEation-but by =
| ghost f-A J. EresiEg Pest