The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-05-25
THE NEW sEcT1oNAL1sM.

There is a new sectionalism growing
up in the country, perhaps impercep-
tibly and slowly. but none the less
surely. What do the phrases the in
terests of the west, - 1.-The interests OF
the SOUTH" the interests of the east
mean if not a phase of sectionalism!
For the last four or five years there
has been an annual Trans Mississippi
congress, the special object of which
has been to advance the particular in
terests of the far west. We Of the
west are familiar with these congresses
and see nothing sectional or unusual in
them; still they are rather sectional
and encourage a growth of the sec
tional feeling. Their sectionalism would
at once be recognized were they Trans
Allegheny or Trans-Mason and Dixon 8
Line congresses.
This spirit of sectionalism is fast
penetrating and perneating New En-
gland as we'll as the far west. Thus
the suggestion has been made that the
Connecticut congressman, whose con-
stituents are interested in tobacco
growing, join with the congressman of
Massachusetts, in a combination to fix
the tariff rates on Sumatra leaf as. the
domestic growers want it fixed. This
causes the Boston Post to say that
herein lies the germ of an idea which
it has urged upon the Massachusetts,
delegation in CONGRESSMAN alliance of
the New England members of congress
in defense of the industries of that sec
ton of the country which are so re-
morselessly attacked by the new tariff
bill. The Post then says:
Until some such arrangement is made,
New England must continue to suffer.
1t does no good for Republican con-
gressmen from Massachusetts TO get up
and talk to the house about the in
justice Of the new tariff. Everyone
knows they will vote for the bill, no
matter what outrageous burdens 1t
piles upon their constituents But
joint protest from New England,
backed uD by votes, might accomplish
something.
Are the Republican senators and rep
resentatives from New England ready
to accept Jones of Nevada as the die
tator over the industries of their con-
stituents?
There is sectionalism pure and SIM
pie If such combinations are justifi-
able in one part of the country they
certainly are in another. 1t isn't the
old loyalty to states or anything re-
sembling it, but a loyalty TO section;
or perhaps still better, loyalty to sec
tional material interests. Nor. is this
ALL Back of it are some jealousy and
enmity. The people of the different
sections feel no jealousy or ennity to-
wards each other when they meet; on
the contrary, their feelings at such
times are of the kindliest. but when
they separate and get back to their
homes and old environments there
comes the old prejudice that seems
to the section.
Sectionalism is not patriotism, neither
is it provincialism. Provincialism is
not at all inconsistent with patriotism,
but sectionalism is. Provincialism is
a dwarfed patriotism; sectionalism is a
perverted patriotism. There is no i'll
feeling or hatred in provincialism.
these are the essence of sectionalism
Sectionalism should be stamped out
wherever found. Every effort of the
people should be to draw the different
sections of the country more closely
together. The industries of the country
are diversified, but the true interests Of
the people are Identical What is needed
is higher aims, loftier aspirations, and
all that initiate against these should
be sunk out of sight. Down with sec
up with unionism.