National Republican., 1877-08-27
THE EpyLs OF SECTYONALISM.

Nothing renders 80 manifest the prescient
wisdom of WASHINGTON rs the accuracy
with which he foretold, in his farewell adj
dress, the evils which would result from the
formation Of sectional parties. IL must b.
quite evident TO the philosophical student
Of the history of our country that the great
est calamities which have bsiallcn IL might
have been avoided by needing the advice
WASHINGTON gives in that address In ref
srence to the danger Of founding parties
upon sectional issues. II is quite certain
that the civil war, and the enormous debt
which it cntailed upon the country, with
all ita concomitant calamitics, might have
been avoided had truly national sentiments
been cherished at all times and in all Sec
tions of the Republic.
We are not yet far enough removed from
the bitterness Of feeling and bias Of thought
which necessarily accompanied the late
civil conflict 10 determine and fix the re-
Ponsibility of the various persons and
sgencies concerned in bringing it about.
Nor need we do so in order TO learn q
leason from the experience which the nation
has gone through with in consequence oil
departing from the wise precepts Of the
fathers of the Republic.
The present Is an important crisis in our
national affairs. All the issues which
lately divided the people into two parties
upon sectional issues have been practically
settled. 1t is now possible to take q new
departure upon this subject, and, in order
70 show the wisdom and expcdicncy OF so
doing, it may be well to quote the Ian
guage of the Farewell Address upon this
subject.
In contemplating the causes which may disturb
our Union IL occurs NJ matter of serious concern
that any grounds should have been furnished for
eharacierizing parties of geographical discrimi,
nations-Northcrn and southern, Atlantic and
wcstcrn-whcnee designing men may cndcnynr ~
excite belief that there Is real difference Of local
party to acquire influence within particular dis.
ticts Il TO misrcrrcscnt the opinions and aims oi
ether districts. You cannot shield yoursel,e, too
much against the lealolisies and heart burnings
which spring from these misrepresentation. They
tend to render alien TO each other those who ought
70 be bound together by frateriiHl affection.
The very quotation of these words sug.
gests the names Of few prominent states
men who, by deed and word. are violating
the spirit of the foregoing injunctions We
need not name them or tell where they re-
side The people know who these men are
who are now endeavoring to excite the he
lief that there is real diifcrence'of local
interests and views between the North and
the South, and who are misrepresenting the
opinions and aims of other districts. While
they know who these enemies of the public
peace are they also know that President
HAYES, from the standpoint of his position
sees no reason why there should be an alien.
alton of feeling and therefore earnestly de-
sires the people of both sections to dwell to.
Eether in unity rs brethren.
The press of the country can also study
with great advantage the precepts con
taincd in the above quotation. If its spirit
n observed it would put m end to needles
fAult-fnding and efforts to distant the view
and sentiments Of people Of opposite sec
ti0ns Of the country, so N to render then
antagOnistic and hostile to each other. Al
II Is now, hasty or imprudent expression
by prominent man or newspaper In ont
section is eagerly quoted in the opposit,
section, with unfriendly comments, whicl
provoke retorts still more bitter, thus pro
lucing those jealousies and heart-burning
which WASHINGTON 10 much dreaded.
In the present emergency Of public affair
Il is very important that unusual Chart,
should be exercised in reference to subject
which designing men for selfish purposes ar
attempting to make subjects Of sectiona
differences, (which tend to render alien +
each other those who ought to be bound to
gether by fraternal Affection Presiden
HAYES, in his efforts to restore unity Of sen
timent between the North and the South,
but following the wise preccpts Of WASH
INGToN, and he therefore deserves the col
dial support of all true patriots thrOughou
khe nation.