Phrases used principally with reference to the antagonism between North and South.
1836. Mr. Benton deprecated the sectional tone which had pervaded a part of this debate.—House of Repr., May 22: Cong. Globe, p. 376, Appendix.
1842. Some of the powers conceded to the Federal Government related only to sectional interests,—controlled interests in which very few of the states participated.—Mr. Henry Clay, U.S. Senate. Jan. 28: id., p. 185.
1845. As it regards the sectional quality of the question [of the annexation of Texas], if there be anything sectional in it, I deny that the South shall appropriate it…. As far as sectional interests are concerned, we of the Mississippi Valley have the highest claim.—Mr. Bowlin of Missouri, House of Repr., Jan. 15: id., p. 95, App.
1850. I accord with that party which is known as the free Democracy of the U.S.,—a party which is sometimes sectional, but which I trust will not remain for ever sectional.—Mr. Salmon P. Chase of Ohio, U.S. Senate, Jan. 10: id., p. 133.
1850. The very idea of this equilibrium [of power, as between North and South], is founded on views of sectional jealousy, sectional fear, sectional hostility.—Mr. Winthrop of Mass., House of Repr.. May 8: id., p. 523, App.
1860. Slavery was strictly a sectional interest. If this could be made the criterion of parties at the North, the North could be united in its power, and thus carry out its measures of sectional ambition, encroachment, and aggrandizement.—Address of South Carolina to the Slave-holding States: O. J. Victor, ‘The History … of the Southern Rebellion,’ i. 109 (1861).
1861. It was a fatal day for the country when a sectional party was formed.—Mr. Bigler in the U.S. Senate: id., i. 261.
1861. A great many personal ambitions, and a great many sectional interests [are brought into conflict].—Mr. Seward in the Senate: id., i. 315.
1861. Sectional war, declared by Mr. Lincoln, awaits only the signal-gun from the insulted Southern Confederacy, to light its horrid fires all along the borders of Virginia.—Richmond Inquirer, March: id., ii. 10.
