The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-11-06
NEW JERSEY.

We have received copy Of Governor Pen
ningtons message TO the Legislature Of New
Jersey, and make the following extract, relating
TO the treatment that State has received at the
hands of the Van Buren, party in Congress:
In the issue of this great struggle New Jersey has
a deep interest Her citizens have common destiny
with the rest of the Union but while they share in
common burdens they intend also TO share in common
privileges. Firmly attached to the form of Govern
ment under which it has pleased benignant Provi-
dence their lot they will be the last TO withhold
due allegiance to it, long they permitted to
enjoy those equal rights which proper selrespect de-
mands. Recent occurrences have, indeed awakened
feeling in the breasts of the grea, body Of the People
of this State, which sense Of wrong, deep wrong in
hicted without an apology, must always inspire The
present House Of Representatives Of the United States
has denied to New Jersey right which has be-
fore been denied to any member Of the Union, and
which, under the Constitution could never have been
denied TO her the right OF commissioning according
TO her own laws members to represent her in that
body This right is vital to the very existence of the
Federal Government, and if its exercise be denied to
any one of the States, no Congress can be consu-
| tonaly organized. The attempt to extenuate the
enormity Of this measure, by charging the State
horities with violation of their trust is unworthy
subteruge What has Congress to do with your State
officers? Are not the People of the State competent
to pass judgment their acts without the interfe
of strangers who have regard to her laws and
her institutions IL there be any question that
subject let be settled between those officers and
their constituents. II is sufficient to command the
respect of Congress in the first instance that the COM
missions presented genuine and in form agreeable
to the laws of the State That this proceeding
violation of all principle and usage cannot be made
more manifest than by the fact that it is the first
Of the kind to be found l il f p1G I'M
weeks in which this question debated, precc-
dent either in the records this any other country
could be furnished to justify it. shall not again
ter upon defence of the course pursued in granting
the commissions. That proceeding has been fully
planned former OCCASION and il has twice received
the sanction of the People Of the State Further
discuss would be insult TO that expression ofpub
lie opinion from which there is no appeal But 60
beyond this point Whatever differences Of opinion
might exist in reality be fegned for party purposes
that question, Congress cannot within the legit
mate exercise OF its authority 90 behind the seal Of
the State. They must recognise that, there be
no return Of members from the State at all. After
that recognised, and the members take their seats
then for the first time the subject is under the control
and direction Of the House. 1t has uniformly been
so held in the House of Representatives heretofore
and II must and will be SO held hereafter.
" The New Jersey will, in all after times, be
considered invasion Of the rights Of one Of the
eregn States Of the Union for the purpose Of securing
the power of party. Fortunately fer the country,
it has had the effect to open the eyes Of the People to
the actual condition Of their Government and taught
them the danger of conding their interests to men
who have lived too long in the sunshine Of executive
patronage The subsequent action of Congress in
placing individuals, without warrant, and before IN
vestgaton in the seats and that too while the COM
missoned members absent under the authority OF
the committee taking testimony to substantiate their
claims and the final decision of the House, by strict
party vote without hearing, much as look
ing at the evidence presents scene OF violence and
wrong wholly without precedent apology. If the
treatment which New Jersey has suffered had been
ceived at the hands OF foreign power, must
have been the inevitable consequence. But she has
been wounded in the house of her friends-and
sort to force must have involved only foes but
friends She has looked upto peaceful remedies, and
made her appeal to the justice and patriotism Of the
country, and all the signs of the times give unerrng
indication that the appeal has not been in vain. A
great principle had been invaded which affected alike
all the States and all the people of the States and ii
was emnently proper that their attention should be
called to 1t IN manner adapted TO secure their most
deliberate consideration
"The subject ] am happy to say, has awakened a
lively interest throughout the country Nor has il
been confined to any party. Many of the friends Of
the Administration have disapproved the whole pro-
ceedings at Washington Indeed all men who look
beyond the present struggle, and have desire to see
peace and order prevail cannot but view it Ievou
tonary and subversve of the very foundation Of rep
resentatve government. Several of the State Legsla
lures with spirit worthy Of enlightened freemen have
boldly denounced the infringement o.
the rights of the States and declared their determine
ton to make common cause with us. The popular in
dignaon has been expressed in many places, and by
large assemblies of the People in various parts of thu
Union but recur with special or afcaton to the so
emn protest Of fifty thousand of the intelligent free
men of New England recently assembled at Bunker
Hill We protest, says the Declaration put forth OF
that occasion, against the conduct of the House o
Representatives in the of the New Jersey election
This is not a local, but general question. In
the union of the States on whatever link the blow
of injustice usurpaon falls il is felt and ought /,
be felt throughout the whole chain The cause o
New Jersey is the cause of every State and every
State is therefore bound to vntlicate IT,
But, while duly appreciate these grateful ex
pressions Of sympathy, let me remind you, gentlemen
that we have a solemn duty TO perform To us, al
citizens of New Jersey, is committed in special
ner the vindcaon OF her rights and il becomes ever,
Jerseyman TO embrace the only mode prescribed by tn
Constitution express his honest indignation and
sert the sovereignty of his State The citizens wh
could passiyey consent TO the seal Of his State
which is the emblem of her sovereignty Frustrated il
the dust may Justly be pronounced unworthy to enjoy
the protection which II ensures II is gratifying to be
eve that those who have thus violated our rights arr
likely 10 he deprived of the power to infic furthe
wounds on the Union but, should like encroach
ment be attempted under any administration Of thi
Government it will become the duty of the Legisla
turc to convene assembly of the People TO consde
! measures OF security and protection"
7 The Governor commends the complaints o
the people of the District of Columbia TO III,
consideration of the Legislature, and resolution.
of various states on different subjects, and tn,
/ remainder of the message is devoted 10 loca
c state interests He recommends abolition o
Imprisonment for debt, and states that the ex
penses of the state last year were $4,000 les
/ than In the year preceding.