Do the products of the industry of the two sections so conflict with
each other in domestic or foreign markets as to encourage the idea that
by separation the South could gain in this particular? Not in the least.
The North has been a large customer for the leading staple of the South,
and the South is constantly in need of those articles which the North is
fitted to produce. The South complains of the growth of the North, and
vainly imagines that by separation its own prosperity would be promoted.
The answer to all this is, that there has never been a moment for fifty
years when the seceded States had not employment, for all the labor that
they could command, in vocations more profitable than any leading
industry of the North; and, moreover, every industry of the North has
been open to the free competition of the South. Not argument, only
statement, is needed to show that by origin, association, language,
business, and labor interests, as well as by geographical laws, unity
and not diversity is the necessity of our public life. Yet, in defiance
of these considerations, the South has undertaken the task of destroying
the government. Nor do the rebels assert that the plan of government is
essentially defective.
Pages:
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324