New Orleans Republican., 1871-06-20
SECTIONALISM.

pie of the UNITED States against the
spirit of sectionalism, frequently mani
tested by men of less comprehensive
views. 1t was the fell spirit of sec.
tionalism that fomented civil war IN
1861 the work of men who had nc
higher ambition than to lead State into
rebellion against the general government.
The little State of South Carolina lead of
in the great work of notification, seces-
sion and rebellion. She had men in
politics of undoubted talent; and her
Hayne and Calhoun were men of genius
and learning; but there was none of that
lofty patriotism among the men Of the
Palmetto State that would prevent the
blow it aimed at the integrity of the re-
public; at the authority of the supreme
government. There was no love of coun-
try among the men who believed in the
right. of secession, beyond the limits of the
State in which they lived Their narrow
conceptions of country confined them to
their State. 1t was glory enough for such
men to rule State, or to assist in ruling
it; and if perchance they were ever
moved to see glory in more extended
form, their poor vision could not reach
beyond the bounds of sectionaIsm. Be-
fore the extirpation of slavery there was
some cause for sectionalism in the South,
however unjust it might have been. The
agitation commenced in England for
the adjustment of African slavery,
had extended to the free States of the
American Union. This gave uneasiness
to the very large and influential class of
Shareholders in the South, who exerted
themselves to control the politics of the
Southern States, for the purpose of giving
protection to the institution of slavery.
This protection was secured through the
aid of sectionalism that had made the
Southern States unit for that purpose
But the time had come when freedom
wanted protection, for slavery had be-
come aggressive. The immense political
power the South welded upon a sectional
issue made in the Southern States, en-
abled it to combine successfully with
politicians in other parts of the country.
For long time the Democratic party
was thus enabled to elect President
and control federal affairs. And en-
couraged by power, and backed |
by a Democratic administration, the |
united South continued its demand for !
the extension of slavery until the people |
in other sections of the country deter |
mined to put stop to this aggressive
spirit of slavery, SO plainly visible in the
South. For this determination on the |
part of very large majority of the people
of the Union, the South, in its sectional
attempted to break the bonds of
the Union and failed; not, however, before
had compelled President Lincoln
to issue his decree abolishing slavery. The
issue was between freedom and slavery;
between united or divided country. Mr..
Lincoln, true to freedom and his country,
abolished slavery; and with it, it was
hoped, all cause in the future for section
alism.
The spirit of sectionalism is to be dis
trusted and discountenanced now more
than ever. The people have felt the ter
,ible effects of a war brought ON by Sec
ionalism. They know that it is much
better to live in peace and amity under
'ne supreme government than to be di-
'ided and under the control of numberless
BETTY leaders. Therefore they should dis :
ourage all attempts of men who would
dvise a further continuance of section
lism.
Speaking of the political situation, the
4ouisville C0urier-Journal says:
A notion is gaining ground over the South
hat, in view of the peculiar state of po-
tical feeling at the North and the divided f
onditiOn of Democratic sentiment all over :
he country, it will be best for the Southern
tates to hold entirely aloof from the next z
ational Democratic convention. This a
pinion is entertained. as we are credibly !,
lformed, by leaders of no less distinction
han Jacob Thompson, of Mississippi, now a
esiding at Memphis, and General Forrest, :
Tho is actively engaged in railway pursuits
10Th are men of a practical turn of mind,
mich gives additional weight to their ideas. c
4 this matter they argue, as we learn, that
le presidential result having to be worked
ut regardless of the Southern vote, which Z
secure for the candidate offering the most \
1vantageous terms to the Estates lately in
,belliOn," will be least compromised and a
stOrted If it be left exclusively to the n
eople of those States which are yet free to
It, undivided by sectional differences and
1racked by the memories and prejudices o
civil war. =
The Courier-Jou'7adl is very plausible s,
I'd discreet advocate of Democratic t.
and it is quite evident that its Y
lief desire is to see the Democratic O
lrty, as speedily as possible, again in $,
of the federal government. 1t 7
also very evident that it has no love for o.
e party that has been the chief cause of tc
e overthrow of slavery, sectionalism IL
Id the Democratic party 1t accuses b
e Republicans of relying largely on D
e spirit of civil feud and sectional
lte Tor success in the future, and is
'wn on Jefferson Davis for what it is
eased to style his indiscretions in speak W
g out boldly what he and his fellow m
think of the political situation hi
present. While the Couier-Journal is re
Illing to regard the three amendments W
parts of the constitution never to he b,
IL 4 l.