Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1869-02-25
LETT rs re UNITED ,

Never was there a more suspicious time
Peninsula into single Stale than the pre-
sent Neatly all the former objections to
such scheme nave ceased to exist. Slavery
is dead, ard 10 questions can again arise out
Of that peculiar institution, TO excite preju-
dice or embmrass negotiations. The debts
of Maryland and Delaware in proportion to
theil respective populations arc nearly
eqnal, white our railroad SYSTEM one of the
most complete in the country, makes daily
more manifest the identity Of the interests of
our whole people.
This identity OF interests too, is really
greater now than ever before. Tie PENN
sula has always been chiefly agricultural,
but Of late years it has been devoted more
and more to q peculiar branch of agriculture
the raising of fruit and yegetablcs-to
which its soil is better suited than any other
in the country, and which must in the future
become, even more than now, its most i'm
portant industry. Ii this the Eastern Mary
land counties have an interest in common
with Delaware, which they have not in com
mon with the grainsrowing counties of the
Western Shore.
The reasons, then, for consolidation being
stronger than yer,and the objections weaker
than ever is II not time that we as sensible
people laid asido mere prejudice, and took
some active steps TO secure n union so neces-
sary to the convenient adjustment of our
business relations, and the fostering of our
peculiar interests:
\ single glance III the map will convince
any person Of the utter absurdiiy of oul
present political divisions. Here is PENN
sula, not merely in name but in fact, actual,
scpar led from all adjoining land by broat
bays, except in one narrow portion, cmbrac
iug an area Of over G000 square miles, Iii
vidci into fourteen counties, with popula
ton which in 1860 numbered PSI, ISL an
which now, doubtless, is over $40, 900
whose people are homogeneous in thei
tastes and habits, and united in their intel
ests and vet three Of these counties const
tutc the State of Delaware, nine Of thei
form part of the State of Maryland (frol
the rest Of which they are separated by III
broad waters Of the Chesapeake) while tw
of them are lacked on to the State of VII
ginia from winch they are naturally scpa
atel by waters from 20 TO - miles wide.
, The practical disadvantages of SO III
y natural ii political division of what is
evidently Il Homogeneous whole arc al,
manifest, but some Of them require mo
:, careful consideration. II is manifcslly Il
:, interest Of the whole peninsula to have
railroad running its entire length giving
easy and frequent connection with the Nor
at Wilmington and with the South by Ii
= system Of railroads centreing at Norfol
y Were the Peninsula united under one Sta
= Government i, would be able to give SUI
. stanial aid Ia such an enterprise and rapid
> complete it.
The oyster interest, too requires egisl
lati0n at the hands Of men who unaerstal
h it. and how can il ever have such while {
1t western counties Of Maryland which kno
d nothing about oysters, and care noth
e. about tliom, except in a gastronomic wa
= possess controlling voice in the Legis
in turc which frames the oyster laws!
S, Again tue present absurd political divisl
re dep.ives the Peninsula of its just represent
I'd ton in the National Legislature Delawi
o. now sends one representative with por
s. lation scarcely large enough in $50 to W,
C, rant il in doing So. Eastern Maryland W
S. a population in 1850 Of li5, 1873; or, 3O,C
IT. more than was required TO cntitle 1t to
I'd representation sent one, while Eastern V
ch ginia with II population in 1860 Of 20, /:
It's though theoretically represented, will neal
nd always remain under tho present arraa.
ed mcnt, practically unrcpresented. Were
united, and properly districted, we Gu,
now have three representatives, provided
mt class Of citizens be DISTINGUISHED
lite These are serious matters which tlema
& the careful consideration of the people of
he whole Peninsula, while there are many oil
as- considerations which address themsel
III particularly to the several sections, cqua
es- demanding attention. Those partjcula
pt- interesting TO Delaware were cogently
his forth in the recent address OF Mr. Nichols,
ng published in our paper, and are in our op
he ion Of sufficient importance to demand Il
M the Legislature at lis present session serio
OF " consider his suggestion to issue call
III, an informal convention of the people to c,
he suit on this subject
e', Whether this be done or not, the news
en- pers of the Peninsula can readily bring t
x subject before their readers and procure
he it that consideration and discussion viii
he its importance demands We hope til
will do SO.