Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1869-02-11

rltory in this Peninsula. A more enlarged
and educated spirit of generosity will have
taught them the policy and propriely OF con
sentlng 10 the proposed union, with the full
knowledge that no political change can ever
alter or In any manner detract from all the
positive benefit they now enjoy accruing
from closely allied commercial, trading and
other business transactions.
The question of name for the proposed
new State also entered into the consider
elton OF the subject, and sentiment of
pride in the name of the State of their
birth caused many very worthy individ-
ais 10 embarass the negotiations then
pending. Whilst the feeling of attachment
to the family homestead and to the locality
OF ones birthplace is sentiment worthy Of
oil commentator, as natural to all generous
hearted men, and as being an element of
great national strength, there certainly are
times and circumstances In the history of all
communities when persistent adherence
to mere name may justly incur the penalty
OF sectionalism, as preferring continuance
of the struggling efforts Of the several local
tiles to the more certain and rapid develop
ments of the united whole. What would
have been the estimation of the civilized
world il Victor Emanuel had refused to ex
change the title of King of Sardinia for
King OF free and united Italy? What
would have been thought of the Neopoli-
tans, Sicilians, Tuscans, and Lombardese,
II through an over-attachment to the ancient
names OF their respective territories, they
had preferred to endure the evils of their
despOtic rulers rather than to unite their
destinies and form more perfect and pow
ertul nation? Would it not have been con
sidered the very essence of narrow minded
sectionalism if the people Of Sardinia had
refused to countenance and assist the efforts
Of the neighhoring Italian States Ia their
desire for freedom and Union, even though
in the accomplishment, Sardinia has ceased
to lie Il distinct State and is but province
in recognized powerful commonwealth?
These Illustrations aie worthy of considera-
ton by the people of this peninsula, as APP
picable in many respects TO their present
position, though not IN all their circum-
stances owing TO the difference that with us
there is more or less greater similarity in
our political institutions.
OF the population of this peninsula, it has
been estimated that about one tenth are not
natives Of the State in which they reside. 1t
is natural to suppose that these migratons
have been caused by the hope or the pros
pect of improving the social and financial
'thuitioh VI thC Immigrants. MOllNtS,
which serve 10 influence to so great an eX-
tent the residents in their individual capaci
ty,surcly must operate when the application
is made in the aggregate.
The completion of the Delaware Railroad,
and the construction of lateral branches,
penetrating and traverslng each county of
the Eastern Shore Of Maryland, have had
the effect Of producing perfect inter COM
| munily OF business interests, the adjustment
Of which are oftentimes made Inconvenience
| veXatious and expensive wherever the par
ties are not under the same State jurisdiction
That community succeeds best in all of its
commercial and business transactions, whose
laws are the simplest and best adapted to
| facilitate "a speedy ms well as just settlement
| Tue delays, incident to separate jurisdiction
and statute laws differing in their appica-
tion, greatly retar6 the proper development
OF the energies of both populations
| There are many considerations which ad-
dress themselves peculiarly To the people of
Maryland and Virginia, and which it were
better, perhaps, at this preliminary stage OF
negotiations, to leave to the intelligence OF
the many sound-thinking men ofthose States
for discussion among themselves. Ii may
be deemed sufficient for present purposes
that only those reasons which concern the
| people of Delaware should be ON this occa-
| sion entertained.
A glance NJ the map is the most convincing
| argument that can be used, to shew that no
territory within the whole area ofthc United
states is better adopted to be under one and
the same State Government than this which
Is geographically known as the Chesapeake
Peninsula. Similarity of climate, soil, pro.
ductions, tastes, pursuits and inieresis-ag-
riculturc and commerce being the CONTROL
ing ones, common TO all parts and sections
of it--would seem TO demand similarity ol
laws, regulations and government Thai
which Nature so evidently intended should
be Joined together, the cupidity and pre-
| vcrscness of man have hitherto kept asunder.
1t may SAVIOR Of Partially and still he undc-
niable to declare that no equal extent OF
| territory in America possesses so many OF
the elements of material riches; is better 10
| Gated for uninterrupted communication al
all times and all seasons of the year with
] both the great mining districts and the com
inercial rnarts OF the continent; or which
combines within itself so many and so varied
| natural facilities and advantages in all those
pursuits and occupations which contribute
SO largely to the happiness and prosperity OF
u people. DISCOUNTED; made, kept and con.
sidercd interior members of larger consiitu
enccs treated with coniumey, more often a
by-word upon the snecring lips of the CON
trolling section, no fostering hand has been
extended to properly develop its peculiar
natural resources, and but little consideration
has it received except ut the hands of the
tar gathercr and to be made contribute to
the support and enrichment of other por-
tions Fthe confederacy, in whose advance
mem, separated ms they are by brand waters
its interest, if any, is wholly and entirely
secondary.
The history of the governments of the
world proves that colonies or disiointed
members Of u larger or greater State are treat
ed ms mere adjuncls tn the main port N, thcil
| commerce ios,ercd or their resources dcvel
oped only to the extent of the amount They
may thereby be able to contribute to til,
support and maintenance Of the home gav.
erHmcni. The experience of this Peninsula
forms no exception to the general rule
Had the thirteen colonies of An erica no
violently disunited themselves from the ex
tcrttOns exactions and control of the home
country, they would have borne to this la,
the same inferior relations to Great Britain
that a portion of this Peninsula now bear.
to the States of Maryland and VirgiHa
1t must ever be deemed fortunate
circumstance in our history, that the popu
lation of the three counties of Delaware hnt
increased to such an extent in 1901 as to nj
low of a Deputy Governor separate from
they were permitted to have separate luca
legislature, thus furnishing just grounds fol
afterwards claiming and securing for them +,
separate State government. Equally for,u
nate for the rest of this Peninsula is the fact
OF the existence of n separate State govern
ment in n portion of its territory, for to i;s
niiiatory action is due all the railroads and
other works of public Improvement which
NOW commence to develop the latent re-
sources OF its lands, bringing wealth ant
prosperity where for more than half cen.
Jury existed poverty and stagnGtion. Ever
IN the present instance is the fortuiious cir.
cumslance recognized by the desire mani
tested that the State of Delaware should
take the inltatory steps In the movement
which has for its aim the union of the whole
Peninsula
II then it be true, which it undoubtedly is
that To the existence and the action of Della
ware, State comprising only about one
third the population and only about one