Even on this view, however,
there would still be something to be said against it, which might render
it at least doubtful. But that is a question, which good faith forbids
us to receive into discussion. This requires us to state the question in
its just form, How may the territories of the Union be disposed of, so
as to produce the greatest degree of happiness to their inhabitants?
With respect to the maritime States, little or nothing remains to
be done. With respect, then, to the ultramontane States, will their
inhabitants be happiest, divided into States of thirty thousand square
miles, not quite as large as Pennsylvania, or into States of one hundred
and sixty thousand square miles each, that is to say, three times as
large as Virginia within the Allegany? They will not only be happier in
States of moderate size, but it is the only way in which they can exist
as a regular society. Considering the American character in general,
that of those people particularly, and the energetic nature of our
governments, a State of such extent as one hundred and sixty thousand
square miles, would soon crumble into little ones.
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