This we find to be extremely inconvenient and really
impracticable without civil war; and after the war,--whose horrors, in
our case, can never be pictured,--we would either find ourselves in the
same divided state as before, or if politically united, it will have
been effected at a cost which it is fearful to contemplate.
"So that we are illustrating the question, whether such a government as
ours is really practicable,--whether a people can govern themselves.
Already we hear it said, 'We have no government.' The explanation is, We
are not disposed to destroy each other's lives to preserve the
confederation. We can have a monarchy, with its 'divine right,' and with
its standing army, if we choose; or, if we remain as a republic, we must
be liable to just our present exigency. Our only defence, then,
consists in mutual conciliation and agreement.
"What a land this is," said I, "with its diversified interests and its
unparalleled variety of products,--its agriculture, mechanic arts,
science, and literature. Separation will embarrass every form of
intercourse, and make us hostile."
"Jews and Samaritans," said Mrs. North. "And all for an idea!"
"Yes," said I, "and for an idea which to one whole section, and to a
very large part of the people in the other section, is false.
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